How Medical Cannabis Can Be Used To Reduce Eczema

The Most Effective Treatment Techniques

Eczema can be described as hell for those who suffer from it. Medicially, Eczema is a group of medical conditions that are responsible for irritation and inflammation of your skin, making it itchy, red and sometimes unbearable. Eczema can affect people of any age, with different forms of it affecting millions of people all over the world.

The National Eczema Association has identified 8 primary types of Eczema. They include Seborrheic dermatitis, Contact dermatitis, Lichen simplex chronicus/neurodermatitis, Hand Eczema, Stasis dermatitis, Dyshidrotic Eczema, Nummular Eczema and Atopic dermatitis which is the most common one of them all. Experts at the NEA have begun to look into how medical cannabis can be used to reduce eczema, provide relief and calm the skin.

Understanding Eczema

Eczema can be long-lasting, chronic and known to come up at several times in someone’s life.  Sometimes even accompanied by asthma or hay fever. This condition has no known permanent cure, however this doesn’t mean that it is all bleak for anyone who has it. Eczema can be managed through the application of ointments, salves and moisturizers to the skin regularly. This will help minimize outbreaks and itchiness that can flare up when your skin comes in contact with things like allergens, harsh soaps and other irritants.  Eczema can be found in children from age five and above, and can manifest into adolescence and adulthood.

Common signs and symptoms:

• Dry skin
• Severe itching
• Red or brownish-grey patches on the ankles, neck, knees, chest, feet, eyelids and hands
• Scaly, cracked, swollen and sensitive skin
• Fluid-filled and raised bumps on the skin

Evidence for using Medical Cannabis to treat Eczema:

One of the most common symptoms of Eczema is itching.  It has been found that the properties found in cannabis can help alleviate itching and a few other symptoms of Eczema as well. Cannabis helps alleviate symptoms like itching by playing a role in the rejuvenation of immune cells present on the skin. It is also believed that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a role to play in the development of some skin conditions including Eczema, since the ECS is also responsible for the regulation of skin functions. This claim is supported by a research paper published in the Experimental Dermatology journal where the authors mention that the imbalance of the ECS can be resolved by an interaction of the medical cannabis and the CB1 and CB2 receptors present in the skin cells and fibres.

The application of medical cannabis topically to the skin will initiate an interaction of the cannabinoids present in it with the receptors found in these immune cells. This interaction helps alleviate the inflammatory response that typically occurs in the event of a case of Eczema rashes. The application of medical cannabis to the parts of the skin affected not only helps calm the irritation and pain, but it also allows the skin to heal while reducing inflammation.

How to Treat:

To treat your Eczema with medical cannabis, you can buy oils, balms, salves, ointments, topical creams and even skin patches that have been infused with cannabis that have higher CBD content than THC. These could serve as anti-itch creams, hydrating oils to not only soothe the affected area by reducing inflammation, dryness and irritation but also help nourish and moisturize the skin. They also have antioxidant properties that prompt the body to shed dead cells and develop healthy ones.

Cannabis Oil can also be taken orally either by adding it to your food or drink or taken as it is. When using orally, be careful with the dosing by starting low and build up until one that works for you is found.

Using topical cannabis infused creams is a great choice because they come in contact with the affected area directly.  Try it out on a little part of your skin to prevent any reactions to other ingredients it might contain.

Considering that Eczema is a common condition in children, medical cannabis can be used, however carefully and only under strict supervision or advice of a trusted medical professional. Topicals might be the safest option to go with since it doesn’t enter the bloodstream. Carefully check out the ingredients of any products and their uses before buying.

Have you ever tried out medical cannabis for Eczema or any other skin condition? What do you think  of cannabis as an alternative to conventional medications for treatment? Drop your opinion in the comments section below.