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Got Eczema? How Cannabis Cream Can Soothe & Relieve Instantly
According to the National Eczema Association, over 30 million Americans suffer from some form of eczema. This is close to 10 % of the U.S. population! How do you know if you have this common condition? Most importantly, how can using a topical cannabis cream play a vital role in keeping its symptoms at bay?
What is Eczema?
With eczema, you know it when you have it and, unfortunately, so does everyone else around you. Eczema is characterized by red spots, rashes, blisters and/or raised bumps on the skin that may or may not go along with discoloration. Itching is also a big part of the equation for most people with eczema, and this can make it not only embarrassing but also pretty unbearable at times.
What many people do not know is that there are actually quite a few different forms of eczema. Some of these include:
- atopic dermatitis, eczema that goes along with asthma and hay fever;
- dyshidrotic eczema, characterized by small blisters on the hands and feet;
- neurodermatitis, or thick, scaly patches that can be anywhere on the skin;
- nummular eczema, characterized by extreme itching and also coin-shaped patches;
- contact dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to something you touch with your skin;
- hand eczema, which occurs only on the hands, sometimes due to an irritant;
- stasis dermatitis, which occurs in the legs primarily and is caused by fluid that leaks out of weakened veins.
Other skin conditions, especially rosacea and psoriasis, are close cousins to eczema as well.
As anyone with eczema can tell you, there is a lot more to eczema than a mere rash. People who have eczema are more at risk for heart attack and stroke and are more likely to have diabetes, according to a 2015 study conducted at Chicago’s Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
What’s more, there is a lot more to what causes this family of conditions as well. Diving into both the root cause and the annoying but sometimes downright debilitating symptoms can help us to understand the best ways to deal with it, including treating eczema with cannabis.
Don’t worry. We won’t get too technical here. Knowledge really is power, however. The more you know about eczema, the more you can do something about it!
The Downside of Conventional Eczema Treatments
The go-to method for most conventional doctors and dermatologists who work with eczema patients is to prescribe topical corticosteroid creams and ointments. While these pharmaceuticals help to lower redness and itching in the moment, in the long run they may wind up doing more harm than good.
Topical corticoid steroids are still steroids, and long-term use has been linked to hormonal imbalance as well as imbalanced immune function. Some experts warn that they may also hinder how your body is able to handle stress, setting the body up for a higher risk of chronic stress responses that can lead to other, more serious disease conditions.
Other people have reported more immediate side effects of corticosteroids such as discoloration and bruising.
Cannabis Topical Cream Can Be a Safe Alternative to Corticosteroids
There is an alternative, however, in the form of cannabis-based eczema relief creams.
First of all, using cannabis for the skin, including hemp cream for eczema, can significantly lower inflammation in that area and also in the whole body.
Did you know that, while CB2 receptors are mostly connected to the immune system, you also have them in abundance in the skin as well? These mechanisms are part of the endocannabinoid system and are an intricate part of modulating many bodily functions. The cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp bind to these receptors and go about their healing business of balancing, regulating, and nourishing.
The significance of this connection is not just skin deep for people with eczema. Many eczema-related skin conditions are autoimmune in nature. One of the primary characteristics of any autoimmune condition is high systemic inflammation (usually discovered by symptoms and also by tests to measure C Reactive Protein levels).
One of the primary jobs of CB2 receptors is to regulate inflammatory responses. There have been dozens of studies which have made the connection between the use of cannabis and the lowering of inflammation in general.
In particular, CB2 receptors are present in keratinocytes, which are the primary kinds of cell found in the epidermis of the skin. They are also found in dermal “mast” cells. These are the cells that are responsible for vaso-action and inflammatory responses.
Unlike conventional skin creams, cannabis-based creams can help to lower inflammation by helping to sooth inflammatory responses naturally. Studies suggest that CBD may help to preserve and strengthen the skin. When the components of the endocannabinoid system are nourished in the skin through the application of a cannabis-based eczema relief cream, relief for the whole body can be felt over the long term. The relief that a person may feel right away on the skin can be instantaneous, however.
Other Phytonutrients in Cannabis Cream Can Help Too
Cannabis also contains other substances that can provide healing and restoring for the skin for those with eczema. These include many key vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, calcium, and potassium. Many of these nutrients play some part in the production and strengthening of collagen, the building block of healthy tissues in the body.
Hemp seed in particular contains the perfect balance of both Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Some studies, including a 2002 investigation sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, have shown that Omega 6 fatty acids can be especially helpful for strengthening the skin barrier.
Many high quality hemp creams for eczema and cannabis sativa-based eczema relief creams also contain other healing substances for the skin such as safflower oil, sunflower oil, and sea buckthorn. Look for brands that are focused exclusively on skin and have an eczema relief cream that has obtained a “Seal of Acceptance” by the National Eczema Association. That way you know that the product you purchase is of the highest quality and will not contain any damaging fillers or chemicals that may irritate your skin more.
Nurture Your Skin and Your Whole Body with Cannabis Cream
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and plays a role in regulating many systems, including the immune system. That means that it is up to you to take good care of it every day.
If you are someone who suffers from one of several different eczema-related conditions, taking care of your skin doesn’t just mean treating the surface level symptoms. It means addressing the root causes while staying away from harmful substances that may make the condition worse in the long run and lead to other diseases.
Using cannabis in a topical cream form and also using cannabis in general for eczema is safe, effective, and has the science behind it to prove that it works. This has been the case for many people and it can be the case for you as well!
