Introduction

Eczema and psoriasis are two of the most common chronic skin conditions—yet they’re often misunderstood and frustrating to treat. Topical creams, steroids, and immune-suppressing medications may offer temporary relief, but the symptoms often come back… sometimes worse than before.

So the real question becomes: Why are some people more prone to eczema or psoriasis—and what’s driving it under the surface?

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we take a root-cause, functional medicine approach to skin health. Instead of just treating the skin itself, we look at what’s going on beneath it—because both eczema and psoriasis are signs of deeper systemic imbalances.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• The difference between eczema and psoriasis
• Why these skin conditions develop
• The most common root causes
• How functional medicine treats the skin from the inside out

What’s the Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis?

While both cause red, inflamed, itchy skin, eczema and psoriasis are different in their triggers, underlying immune mechanisms, and appearance.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

• Often begins in childhood
• Linked to allergies, asthma, or hay fever
• Appears as red, dry, itchy patches—often in skin folds
• Skin may become thick, cracked, or ooze
• Triggered by irritants, food sensitivities, stress, or dry weather

Eczema is typically an inflammatory and allergic response involving skin barrier dysfunction and overactive immune reactions.

Psoriasis

• Can begin at any age but often starts in adulthood
• Autoimmune in nature
• Causes thick, scaly, silver plaques—commonly on elbows, knees, scalp
• Often itchy or painful
• Can be triggered by infections, stress, skin injuries, or medications

Psoriasis is characterized by rapid skin cell turnover, driven by immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation.

Why Do These Conditions Happen?

The conventional explanation is “your immune system is overreacting”—but functional medicine goes deeper.

Eczema and psoriasis are not just skin problems. They are manifestations of systemic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and often gut imbalances. In other words, your skin is the mirror of what’s happening inside your body.

Root Causes of Eczema and Psoriasis

1. Gut Imbalances (Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut)

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that influence your immune system. When this balance is disrupted (called dysbiosis), it can:

• Trigger chronic inflammation
• Promote food sensitivities
• Weaken the gut lining (leaky gut), allowing immune-reactive substances to enter the bloodstream

This “gut-skin axis” is one of the most important yet overlooked drivers of eczema and psoriasis.

🧠 Did you know? Studies have found different microbiome compositions in people with eczema and psoriasis compared to those without.

2. Food Sensitivities and Allergens

Unlike true food allergies, food sensitivities cause low-grade immune reactions that may not show up on standard tests but still drive inflammation.

Common culprits include:

• Dairy
• Gluten
• Eggs
• Soy
• Corn
• Processed sugars
• Nightshades (for some with psoriasis)

These foods can flare the immune system, trigger histamine release, and aggravate skin symptoms.

3. Chronic Inflammation and Immune Dysfunction

Eczema is often Th2-dominant (associated with allergies and histamine), while psoriasis is Th1/Th17-dominant (associated with autoimmunity).

Both involve imbalances in immune pathways, and both are fueled by:

• Environmental toxins
• Gut inflammation
• Chronic infections
• Poor detoxification

Functional medicine focuses on modulating immune function—not just suppressing it with steroids or biologics.

4. Nutrient Deficiencies

Certain nutrients are crucial for skin barrier integrity and immune regulation. Deficiencies can result from poor diet, malabsorption, or increased metabolic demand.

Key nutrients for skin health:

• Vitamin D – regulates immune responses
• Zinc – supports skin healing and modulates inflammation
• Omega-3 fatty acids – reduce inflammation
• Vitamin A and E – essential for skin integrity
• B vitamins – help with detox, energy, and tissue repair

Low levels of these nutrients may predispose someone to chronic skin flare-ups.

5. Stress and Cortisol Dysregulation

Chronic stress dysregulates cortisol, your main stress hormone. This:

• Suppresses skin repair
• Triggers immune imbalance
• Increases gut permeability
• Worsens histamine and inflammatory pathways

Stress is one of the most common triggers for both eczema and psoriasis flare-ups.

6. Toxin Overload and Poor Detoxification

Your liver and detox pathways play a vital role in clearing inflammatory waste, hormones, and environmental toxins. When these are overloaded:

• Inflammation builds
• Skin becomes a “backup detox organ”
• Rashes, flares, and itching worsen

Detox overload can result from mold exposure, alcohol, medication use, or poor diet.

Functional Medicine Approach to Eczema and Psoriasis

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we don’t just treat the skin—we treat the whole person. Our functional medicine approach aims to identify the root cause and restore optimal skin and immune health from the inside out.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Comprehensive Testing

We start with:

• Stool analysis to assess the microbiome, inflammation, and infections
• Food sensitivity testing (IgG and/or elimination diets)
• Micronutrient testing
• Thyroid and adrenal panels
• Vitamin D and inflammatory markers (like CRP or homocysteine)

This helps uncover what’s really driving your symptoms.

2. Personalized Anti-Inflammatory Diet

We design a plan to remove common triggers while nourishing your skin and gut:

• Eliminate dairy, gluten, processed foods, and excess sugar
• Add anti-inflammatory whole foods: fatty fish, leafy greens, berries, turmeric
• Consider a temporary Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) or Low Histamine protocol
• Restore gut lining with bone broth, L-glutamine, and collagen

3. Targeted Supplement Support

We use clinical-grade supplements tailored to your labs, such as:

• Zinc, vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium, and quercetin
• Probiotics and prebiotics to support gut diversity
• Liver support like NAC, milk thistle, or glutathione
• Adaptogens to support stress resilience (ashwagandha, rhodiola)

4. Lifestyle and Stress Management

We help patients:

• Implement daily stress-reduction rituals (breathwork, journaling, mindfulness)
• Optimize sleep hygiene and circadian rhythms
• Incorporate light movement and gentle detox strategies (infrared sauna, dry brushing)

5. Topical Support—With a Purpose

We may recommend:

• Natural emollients (coconut oil, shea butter, calendula)
• Medical-grade topical treatments for symptom relief
• Avoiding known irritants in skincare products (fragrance, parabens, sulfates)

But our goal is always to treat from the inside out.

When to Seek Help

If you’ve tried everything—creams, steroids, elimination diets—and your skin is still inflamed, it’s time to dig deeper. Chronic eczema or psoriasis isn’t just “bad skin”—it’s a signal from your body that something internal needs healing.

Final Thoughts

Eczema and psoriasis may manifest on the surface, but their roots go far deeper—into the gut, immune system, hormones, and lifestyle. With the right tools and a root-cause lens, long-term healing is not only possible—it’s within reach.

You don’t have to settle for a life of flare-ups and steroid creams.

Ready to heal your skin from the inside out? Book a functional medicine consultation today and discover a personalized path to clear, healthy skin.

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