Top Labs To Run Bi-Annually On Your Eczema Patients

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. In fact, it's one of the most common skin conditions and can significantly impact the quality of life of children and adults. This inflammatory condition can cause emotional distress and sleep disturbances in up to 80% of children and 90% of adults who have it. Those consequences can lead to children's behavioral issues, missed work for adults, and overall poorer health. Therefore, understanding the underlying factors contributing to the symptoms of eczema is vital to improve health outcomes for people struggling with it. Functional labs are great tools regularly utilized by practitioners to help their eczema patients improve their symptoms, and this article will discuss those labs in detail.

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What is Eczema?

Eczema is a chronic condition that affects the skin and can weaken the skin's barrier function causing it to be dry, itchy, and bumpy. This chronic condition can affect over 31 million in the U.S., with children being the most prone to developing it. Up to 20% of children will have it. Although, anyone at any age can develop it.

Eczema is a non-contagious condition. It can manifest in seven different subtypes: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis. Each subtype has its own specific triggers, and interestingly, it is possible for individuals to experience multiple types of eczema concurrently. Atopic dermatitis is the most prevalent among these subtypes, particularly affecting patients with a personal or family history of allergic conditions.

What Causes Eczema? 

The development of eczema is thought to be an interplay of genetic and environmental factors, which can activate the immune system and damage the skin's barrier. When symptoms first appear, this usually indicates environmental triggers, such as stress, chemicals, or pollutants. These triggers can also cause flares or recurrences. It is more common for individuals with eczema to have a family history of the condition, asthma, or allergies. Furthermore, there is a genetic mutation in the filaggrin (FLG) gene in 50-70% of patients with eczema. This gene is associated with forming a protective layer of the skin, and the mutation leads to dysfunction of that barrier. Another factor that decreases skin protection in eczema patients is a diminished amount of beta-defensins. This protein protects the skin against infections resulting in increased pathogens such as candida on the skin which may play a role in eczema severity.

Many people are aware that the gut microbiome plays a role in gut health. However, it also influences skin health. Disruptions in the microbiome can trigger an immune response and inflammation, causing disruptions in the skin and can result in dermatological conditions such as eczema. The role between the gut and the skin is called the gut-skin axis. Allergies and food sensitivities also significantly affect eczema development and worsening. Those with eczema are often prone to asthma, hay fever, and food allergies or sensitivities. When exposed to allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, certain foods, and harsh substances, their immune system triggers skin inflammation, causing itching, redness, and swelling associated with eczema. This cycle can further sensitize the skin, leading to more allergic reactions.

Eczema Symptoms

Symptoms can vary depending on the severity and can occur on any part of the body, including the face, neck, and genitalia. The common symptoms include:

●  Dryness

●  Itching can be mild or intense

●  Thickened skin

●  Appearances of flakiness, bumps, or scratches

●  Rashes can be red, pink, purple, brown, or gray, depending on skin tone

●  Crease-like wrinkles just below the lower eyelid (Dennie-Morgan lines)

●  Transverse crease across the bridge of the nose ("allergic salute")

●  Hypopigmented patches

What Are The Benefits of Regular Lab Testing for Patients with Eczema

Eczema is chronic and can flare at times. Gaining insights into the various triggers can reduce the risk of flare-ups for patients with eczema. Regular testing using functional labs can help practitioners identify these triggers and personalize effective patient management strategies. Providers can also monitor progress to optimize those strategies and support patients in gaining more control over this condition.

Top Labs To Run Bi-Annually on Patients with Eczema

Diagnosis of eczema is typically done with a qualified provider who will utilize physical exams and medical history. Then those providers may run lab tests such as an allergy test, blood tests, and a skin biopsy to rule out any other conditions or differentials. When it comes to managing this condition, regular testing using functional labs can help practitioners determine underlying factors that can cause flares to help patients reduce the risk or severity of symptoms. The following are some top labs practitioners use:

Environmental Toxin Screen

Environmental toxins are everywhere. There are over 80,000 toxins that we can get exposed to and can cause adverse effects. Toxins such as chemicals and air pollution can trigger eczema. Consistently monitoring the levels of these toxins can help practitioners detect any exposure and assist patients with any related symptoms. The results can offer guidance on protocols to reduce toxic burden.

Advanced Adrenal Stress Test

Chronic stress is another trigger that can exacerbate eczema or bring on flares. Practitioners can measure levels of the stress hormone cortisol to assess a patient's stress response and determine if any imbalances can be a contributing factor to the onset or severity of the disease. The adrenal stress test measures cortisol levels through a saliva sample at four different times in the day, giving a comprehensive overview of the patient's stress response. Stress levels are ever-changing, and conducting regular tests can aid in managing these fluctuations to improve patient outcomes. Providers can use this test to support their patients in adapting to these variations and implement personalized protocols based on these specific results.

Gut Zoomer 

An imbalance in the microbiome can stimulate an immune response and inflammation, leading to disturbances in the skin and potentially giving rise to dermatological conditions like eczema.

The comprehensive stool test evaluates the microbiome's diversity, analyzing more than 300 microorganisms. It effectively detects pathogens and dysbiosis, essential factors influencing the overall well-being of the microbiome. This in-depth assessment can provide guidance on personalized treatment approaches that aim to alleviate the severity of symptoms for patients.

Food Sensitivity and Allergy Panel

Approximately 40% of eczema cases in infants are attributed to food allergens that trigger IgE-mediated responses, often leading to the development of allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, forming the atopic triad. The common link among these allergic disorders lies in the predisposition for IgE-mediated responses to various stimuli. 

Allergies play a significant role in both the development and exacerbation of eczema, and individuals with eczema are more prone to other allergic conditions like asthma, hay fever, and food allergies. Their immune system reacts abnormally to allergens, prompting an inflammatory response in the skin. 

Common allergens that worsen eczema symptoms include dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold. Children with eczema also display higher IgG-mediated reactions to food sensitivities (distinct from food allergies), with dairy, gluten, and eggs being the most commonly reactive foods. This comprehensive sensitivity and allergy panel measures 88 common food antigens and environmental allergens through a blood sample, making this an excellent option for assessing these environmental triggers in eczema. Practitioners can utilize the results of this test to create personalized plans for their eczema patients.

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Summary

Eczema is a complex chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin. A variety of factors, such as genetics,  gut health, allergies, and other environmental factors, influence this condition. Functional labs can help practitioners assess and understand the interplay of these factors and develop effective management strategies for individuals affected by eczema.