Can CBD Help Psoriasis and Eczema? Here’s What We Know

CBD is often touted for its calming effects, and with our modern lives being more stressful than ever, CBD products are increasingly in demand. But CBD isn’t just for balancing our minds and moods; it’s also being explored as a remedy for a host of skin conditions that are notoriously hard to treat. For instance, CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can help to soothe acne, reducing breakouts and regulating the production of the skin’s sebum. Its rich antioxidant content makes it instrumental in preventing visible signs of aging such as dullness and fine lines.

But what about CBD for psoriasis, or CBD for eczema? Those who deal with these ailments know the struggle. For one thing, unlike most other skin problems, neither psoriasis or eczema is exactly curable. Instead, these chronic conditions cycle through periods of clear skin between outbreaks of rashes or itchiness. Treatments are centred on managing psoriasis and eczema, not getting rid of them altogether.

So, can CBD be an effective psoriasis treatment? How about CBD for eczema, too? The research on CBD skincare is in its infancy. But there is some evidence to show that the unique properties of CBD could prove immensely helpful in preventing flare-ups of psoriasis and eczema. Let’s start by exploring exactly what these conditions are, and what makes them so difficult to treat using current dermatological practices.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the skin. It can also lead to inflammation of the joints, known as psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis also comes with a greater risk of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. In part, this is due to the physical appearance of psoriasis, which can trigger negative effects on self-esteem.

In the skin, psoriasis manifests as red, swollen patches that are not only eye-catching, but uncomfortable. Psoriasis sores are itchy, scaly, and painful, although they are non-communicable. They occur because the condition prompts skin cells to renew themselves at an abnormal fast rate.

While healthy new skin cells turn over around once a month, psoriasis skin cells reproduce every few days. This rapid shedding of skin cells leads to a buildup of tissue, as immature skin cells erupt to the surface before they are ready. This causes the raised, irritated patches that characterise a psoriasis rash.

Psoriasis

Causes of Psoriasis

The precise cause of psoriasis is not known. Psoriasis is believed to be an immune response where the body’s white blood cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. As the condition can be triggered by a change in immune response, many people are not aware they could have psoriasis until they see a breakout for the first time.

Factors including stress, alcohol consumption, and skin injuries like cuts and sunburns can trigger psoriasis. Unrelated infections can also trigger the immune response that sets off a psoriasis flare-up.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition that results in dry, itchy patches of skin. These are usually accompanied by a red rash, thick or crusted skin, and raised bumps. Eczema shows up in sensitive skin areas like the inside of the elbow, back of the knee, and scalp. Unfortunately, eczema is prone to appear on the face, making breakouts potentially stressful for sufferers.

This disease is common in children, but can persist into adulthood. It’s entirely possible to experience eczema for the first time as an adult.

Eczema

Causes of Eczema

Like psoriasis, eczema is the result of an immune system that overreacts to certain triggers. It causes the immune cells of the skin to attack themselves in a mistaken response to some kind of stimulus. This can be anything from an irritating fragrance or fabric touching your skin, to allergens in foods, pets or pollen. Even the weather can impact eczema inflammation levels, making skin sensitive to flare-ups.

Both psoriasis and eczema look similar, resulting in red, itchy, and scaly patches of skin that can be hard for dermatologists to tell apart. Both of these conditions are chronic, needing treatment and management rather than a cure. And both are triggered by an auto-immune response gone awry, which is why steroids are a standard medication for psoriasis and eczema. In severe cases, immunosuppressants are prescribed to mediate the body’s aggressive response.

Despite their common points, psoriasis and eczema are two distinct conditions that can have their own treatment protocols. However, most of these can come with harsh side effects, as they either treat a symptom of the underlying autoimmune issues, or they directly target the immune system.

That’s why CBD is being considered as a natural and holistic treatment for psoriasis and eczema. It’s an alternative that comes without harsh side effects, and could be effective at addressing the root causes of these skin conditions.

How CBD Oil Can Help To Relieve Symptoms Of Psoriasis And Eczema

Hydration

It’s vital to keep skin moisturised when dealing with psoriasis and eczema. The dry patches can be itchy and irritating, but if you scratch them too much, it can lead to open wounds that allow bacteria to enter the skin. CBD helps to regulate the skin’s natural production of sebum, and can help to boost moisture in affected areas.

Anti-inflammation

Topical CBD is best known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Whether applied on aching joints for those who have psoriatic arthritis, or used to settle the redness of an eczema rash, CBD can provide soothing relief.

Numbing

Along with reducing inflammation and redness, CBD has a mild natural numbing effect. This can help you stop scratching the painful and itchy sores caused by psoriasis and eczema.

However, these are simply the “nice-to-have” benefits of CBD. The really promising effects of CBD on treating psoriasis and eczema are in the ECS, or endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a complex network of neurotransmitters that runs through our central and peripheral nervous system. It even helps regulate healthy immune function - which could be the key to psoriasis and eczema.

CBD oil

CBD and the Immune System

All of our cells have cannabinoid receptors that are linked by this pervasive ECS network, including our skin cells and immune cells. These receptors respond to the effects of CBD. Research suggests that the ECS is vital for making sure our various biological systems maintain an internal balance known as homeostasis.

This is where CBD comes in, to support that balance. CBD acts as a natural immunosuppressant, encouraging overactive immune cells to slow down. Inflammation is another immune response that CBD keeps in check, which reduces not only the breakouts associated with psoriasis and eczema, but also the painful swelling. Unlike pharmaceutical immunosuppressants, CBD doesn’t have potentially harmful side effects that leave patients open to a higher risk of contracting infections. Because of the ECS, CBD is picked up by receptors in all your bodily systems, ensuring they maintain a healthy balance.

How to Use CBD Oil for Eczema and Psoriasis

Especially if you have easily triggered skin conditions, it’s important to be careful when experimenting with a new product. Always look for CBD products that have a Certificate of Analysis provided by a third-party lab, and are deemed safe for use on skin.

Ideally, choose products that don’t contain alcohol, or any other substances that you know could trigger your psoriasis or eczema. Do a small patch test and wait for 24 hours before applying the product to the rest of your skin.

using CBD oil

MUKOOMI CBD Hemp Oil is made with 100% organic CBD in pure hemp seed oil - no additives, and no fragrances or colours. Hemp seed oil is a gentle and richly nourishing moisturiser, just right for soothing itchy skin without irritating it further.

Try MUKOOMI CBD Hemp Oil as a topical treatment, and dose it as a tincture to get the inside-out benefits of CBD. Start by taking a few drops a day, and only increase as you feel is required.

If you’re having a hard time coping with psoriasis or eczema, don’t worry - there is still hope for you to have healthy, happy skin that glows from within.

MUKOOMI CBD can be a friend on your journey towards acceptance and self-confidence.


You may also like

Menstrual Cramps: Is CBD the New Answer for an Age-Old Problem?

Let’s be real for a minute. If cis men had to deal with PMS, we would have a vast array of solutions for period cramps. We would probably get manda...

Read more
Could CBD Be Your New Favourite Workout Supplement?

As we’ve all learned by now, maintaining a fitness routine in a lockdown can be challenging. Gyms and exercise classes are frequently shut, while o...

Read more