Do You Have Any Of These Surprising Hormonal Symptoms
If you have strange symptoms or think you may have a hormonal imbalance, you should talk to your doctor. Common symptoms of hormone imbalance are well-known, but these lesser-known symptoms may not appear related to hormones. Hair loss, cold hands and feet, difficulty sleeping, depression, anxiety and skin problems can all be signs of an imbalance. If you have sudden changes in mood, weight, appetite, sleep pattern or brain fog, it may be time to see a primary care provider to have your hormone levels tested.
Crump Medical is a concierge medical practice in Chattanooga, Tennessee providing mens and womens internal medicine, preventive care and hormone therapy. Dr. Chip Crump engages and educates his patients to help them achieve reasonable health goals through individualized dietary, supplement and fitness plans.
How Hormones Can Cause Oily Skin
Many of the skin changes you may experience around puberty and later in life are due to small glands called sebaceous glands. These sebaceous glands produce and secrete an oily substance called sebum. Starting around puberty, sebaceous glands increase in size, and begin to secrete sebum, with the most sebum secreted between 15-35 years of age . The medical term for the condition of having oily skin is called seborrhea, and has different causes.
Sebaceous glands, like many other parts of the skin, have receptors which are influenced by sex hormones. These glands are affected most dramatically by androgens, which are male sex hormones like testosterone, but are present in both sexes . These androgens increase the production of sebum during puberty in both sexes . When there are more androgens binding to the receptors on the sebaceous glands, more sebum is produced. This can lead to noticeably oilier skin, and may progress to acne.
Many other factors play a role in sebum levels: genetics, seasonal changes, excessive sun exposure, and overuse or misuse of skin care products all can affect the oiliness of your skin .
Things That Can Worsen Eczema
Eczema tends to flare up at various times and sometimes it can be difficult to figure out the cause or trigger for the worsening itch and redness. Eczema is an umbrella term rather than a specific skin condition, so each individual may need to find different solutions to managing their symptoms.
Be your own detective and see if you can identify the things that make your skin dry and itchy for instance Does your skin have a flare-up after a boozy night out? If you know this to be true then you can play around with ways of reducing the ‘good times’ effect that socialising has on your skin. Could your fake tan or makeup be aggravating your skin? Does missing sleep make a difference? Knowing what makes eczema worse is very useful information so that you can reduce flare-ups and improve symptoms.
Here are 6 common factors that may be making your eczema worse:
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What Causes Eczema In Adults
Though its not so common, people can develop eczema later in life, even if theyve never suffered from the chronic condition before. What’s going on, and what can you do about it?
Its tricky to diagnose or determine the main cause of adult-onset eczema, as everyones eczema presents differently. Overall, though, eczema in adults tends to act the same way as most variants of eczema: inflammation plus a faulty skin barrier makes skin dry, sore, and insanely itchy.
What causes adult-onset eczema?
Most people living with eczema can hardly remember not having it, and more often than not eczema starts at a very young age. About 1 in 5 children have childhood eczema, but most outgrow it as they get older. When diagnosed in adults, however, the condition tends to persist, meaning that its something they might always be prone to, even if flares come and go.
Studies have shown that adult-onset eczema is more common than one would expect, and it tends to present differently than when diagnosed in childhood.
Physiological changes to the skin as it ages is likely to be the main culprit as the skin structure changes over the years, wrinkles start to form, and the skin becomes more fragile, less elastic, and more sensitive to damage and irritation, as well as slower to heal.
Add general health and well-being to the mix, and anything from hormonal changes to developing allergies can make people more susceptible to experiencing eczema for the first time.
Managing adult-onset eczema
Hyperthyroidism: Too Much Hormones
This occurs when overactive tissue in the thyroid gland causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones . Hyperthyroidism can lead to thyrotoxicosis, the clinical condition of increased thyroid hormones in the blood.
Effects on the skin:
In the case of thyrotoxicosis, your skin is affected by the overproduction of hormones. The skin often becomes thin in some areas, and thicker, darker, and hyperpigmented on others.
Hives and itching also occurs as a result of hormone overproduction, and skin can become intensely dry. In serious cases, a thick redness called pretibial myxedema may appear at the front of the legs, and spread to other areas.
Because of the similarities to skin disease, many dermatologists tend to diagnose this as a form of contact dermatitis or eczema.
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What Causes An Eczema Flare
Identifying triggers, that lead to flare-ups, is essential for keeping your symptoms under control and staying comfortable . Eczema affects everyone differently one persons triggers may not be a trigger for others. Also, eczema flare-ups can happen at different times of the year and often on different areas of the body.
Here we explore the main triggers and how we can help you identify them.
Food. You may experience a flare-up after eating certain foods. There are countless foods beyond the usual suspects that may trigger your symptoms. If youre sensitive to specific foods, it may be worth doing an elimination diet. When you reintroduce the food group, carefully watch your symptoms. More on this later.
Our food intolerance tests will help us to identify and eliminate key allergens so inflammation can be reduced and the gut lining and the body can be given the opportunity to heal.
Stress and anxiety. Stress is a key modulator in many inflammatory and autoimmune conditions and is often responsible for triggering an inappropriate immune response in the body. As such, it is paramount that supporting your nervous system is carefully tailored into your eczema protocol and we target stress in our functional medicine approach. Get in touch for a complimentary discovery call to find out how we can support you.
Stress Hormones And Mental Health
Thereâs still a lot to learn about the link between eczema and mental health. However, the relationship is strong. A survey revealed more than 30% of people with eczema have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety.
A key might be in how your brain and body communicate during a bout with an inflammatory disease like eczema. Your skin has strong neural connections with your brain and the info exchange goes both ways. Some researchers believe when your skin is riled up, such as with an eczema outbreak, it can send messages to your brain that trigger depression, anxiety, or muddled thoughts. Those feelings can bring on stress, and the cycle repeats.
Lifestyle changes such as exercise, support groups, and relaxation techniques can help keep stress — and breakouts — at bay.
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Why Is My Eczema Getting Worse
Eczema can get worse due to external factors such as changes in the weather or exposure to allergens, which can inflame the skin. Stress, lack of sleep, hormonal fluctuations specifically in the days after ovulation and before the period, and even age can all impact eczema-prone skin, causing it to become drier and itchier.
Foods That Can Help With Eczema
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet may help lessen eczema symptoms.
For barrier function and hydration:
- Support barrier function with vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, D, E and zinc. Find out more about these nutrients in our Ultimate skin guide.
- Zinc supports skin integrity and immunity and also reduces inflammation of the skin and improves eczema symptoms. Good sources include oysters, crab, organic beef, pumpkin seeds, cashews, chickpeas, almonds, kidney beans, spinach.
- Include Omega 3 rich foods as they improve skin hydration and reduce inflammation . Mackerel, sardines, anchovies are good sources but always make sure they are from sustainable and traceable sources. Flax, chia, seaweed, spirulina and some nuts and seeds are good veggie alternatives.
- Add water-rich foods such as watermelon, strawberries, and cucumber. These can help give your skin and body the hydration it needs to look and feel its best.
For gut health and immunity:
- Include probioticrich foods such as kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented tofu and kefir to support the skins microbiome .
- Increase your fibre intake to support your gut microbiome and the final phase of detox, elimination.
- Include apples, blueberries, cherries as they are high in quercetin a plant-based flavonoid. Its a powerful antioxidant and antihistamine and has the ability to reduce inflammation as well as levels of histamine in your body.
For the management of stress and anxiety:
For detoxification and antioxidant protection:
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Hypothyroidism: Too Little Hormones
This occurs when your thyroid gland is under-active, and doesnt produce enough of the hormones T4 and/or T3.
Effects on the skin:
In some cases of hypothyroidism, the skin may receive as little as one-fourth to one-fifth of its normal blood supply.
This reduced circulation can prevent the blood from providing nourishment and completely removing waste products from the bloodstream.
As the skin is the bodys largest elimination organ, it often results in the body trying to push the waste products through the skin: especially if your gut is leaky, like I talk about in my book.
This can lead to breakouts of eczema, psoriasis, or itchy, blistering patches of skin.
B Can Perimenopause Cause Eczema
Perimenopause cant cause eczema because its a genetic skin condition, but it can aggravate or trigger it, leading to flare-ups. According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, 17% of Canadians are plagued by this hereditary condition that causes inflammation, resulting in red, scaly, irritated and itchy skin. Hormonal changes can spark eczema flare-ups because of the drop in estrogen that occurs during perimenopause, menopause and pregnancy. This decrease causes the skin to lose water, which can interfere with its ability to maintain moisture levels and leave skin dry with a weakened skin barrier that can make eczema worse.
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What Causes Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis
The cause of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is not known. Hypotheses include:
- Exogenous progestogens may trigger a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction with the formation of progesterone-specific immunoglobulin E antibodies and a mast cell-mediated response, which may target progesterone receptors expressed above the basal layer on keratinocytes.
- There may be a type 4 hypersensitivity reaction to progestogens.
Sensitised patients then have cyclical symptoms due to an ongoing autoimmune response to the elevated levels of progesterone seen in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
The cause in patients with no prior exposure to exogenous progestogens is unclear.
Eczema May Stem From Poorly Regulated Sex Hormones Study Finds
Posted: 20 September 2021 | Anna Begley |
A breaking discovery has revealed the gene HSD3B1 that regulates the production of sex hormones is linked to atopic dermatitis .
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern, US, have revealed that the gene HSD3B1, which is known to regulate sex hormones such as testosterone and progesterone, could be a drug target against atopic dermatitis .
Previous research has linked AD to overactivity in genes responsible for the production of two inflammatory immune molecules, interleukins 4 and 13 . A relatively new drug called dupilumab a monoclonal antibody that reduces the amount of the inflammatory molecules has been extremely effective in many patients with moderate to severe AD. However, the molecular mechanisms behind how IL-4 and IL-13 contribute to this form of eczema was unknown.
To investigate this question, the team focused on sebocytes, the cells that make up sebaceous glands. These glands produce an oily, waxy barrier that coats the skin, helping it retain moisture. The researchers dosed human sebocytes growing in petri dishes with IL-4 and IL-13, then used a technique called RNA sequencing to get a readout on gene activity for the entire genome and compared it with gene activity in sebocytes that were not treated with these immune molecules.
The findings were published in PNAS.
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When To Speak With A Doctor
A person should see their doctor if they suspect they have a skin infection. This is particularly true when the infection develops in an area where their eczema tends to flare up.
If a person has noticed their eczema has worsened or is no longer responding to their usual treatment, they may benefit from speaking with a doctor or dermatologist.
A dermatologist can help a person identify the type of eczema they have and prescribe treatments that may be more effective. They can also refer someone for diagnostic tests, such as allergy testing, if necessary.
If a rash appears suddenly, spreads quickly, or shows signs of infection, see a doctor as soon as possible.
The Weather Can Worsen Eczema
Dry, windy, cold weather can aggravate eczema because it dries out the skin, thus making it itchier. Unfortunately, studies have also found that humid, warm climates with lots of sun exposure aren’t any better for controlling eczema symptoms. It’s probably safe to assume that it’s all about trying to avoid extreme weather conditions.
Many of us will not be able to choose the weather we have to live in, but we may be able to take sensible measures to protect the skin in harsh weather.
Simple tips that may help protect eczema from the weather:
- Stop the skin from drying out in cold, windy weather by keeping it well-moisturised. Carry a good cream with you everywhere and use it frequently.
- Cover up to protect the skin from harmful exposure to sun, wind or frost. Ideally, clothing should be comfortable and breathable. Natural fibres like linen and cotton may therefore suit eczema better than sweaty, man-made nylons and polyesters. Wool, although natural, may be irritating and scratchy.
- In humid, warm weather, try to wash frequently to remove sweat and residues from the skin, as they can block the skin and inhibit the skin’s sweating ability.
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Thyroid And Eczema: The Significance Of Balancing Hormones
March 15, 2015 by Christina
Feeling tired and constantly sluggish even if you slept a full 8 hours? Eczema just not improving no matter how many diets youve tried? What about unexplained weight gain, or always having bad hair days?
These things may seem different, but they actually have a lot in common. Each one is a symptom of unbalanced hormones, commonly caused by a thyroid issue!
As I wrote in the gut-skin connection, your immune system and gut are ultimately the ones responsible for healing your skin. In fact, a lot of eczema breakouts can be prevented and even healed by tending to the health of these important organs!
However, having perfect gut health isnt only about whats inside your belly. Our thyroids hormones also play a big role when it comes to our overall health, and specifically, our skin.
From Acne To Dryness: How Your Hormones Affect Your Skin
If you have ever experienced the dreaded period breakout right before your menstrual cycle, then you probably already know that our hormones can have a major impact on our skin. But, did you know that hormones can play a role in our skins health throughout our lifetime? The fact is fluctuating hormone levels can cause different skin concerns during your period, pregnancy, and menopause. Knowing what skin changes to expect can help you to properly prepare for and treat them, if needed. First, lets understand the specific hormones that can impact our skins health.
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Home Remedies For Itchy Skin
You may often avoid or treat irritated and itchy skin by making a few changes in your diet and lifestyle. You may also implement a new skincare routine that suits you the best. Some of the common home remedies to prevent and treat itchy skin are:
Treat with a cool compress You can apply a cold, wet compress to itchy areas to soothe irritation. Covering the area with a damp towel overnight might be helpful, especially in the cases where scratching tends to disturb your sleep.
Moisturize Moisturize the skin regularly, especially after a bath or shower. This may help to retain the moisture in the outermost layer of your skin, resulting in reduced dryness and itching.
Try to use a fragrance-free moisturizer appropriate for sensitive and dry skin. Scented products contain harmful chemicals that might further irritate your tissues. Some of the natural moisturizers, such as coconut oil or aloe vera gel also have skin calming properties.
Avoid scratching Even though it is tempting, avoid scratching the surface. This can damage or tear the tissue, especially if you have sensitive skin. If you have itchy skin at night during menopause, wear gloves while sleeping to prevent a scar from scratching.
Stay hydrated Water is important to keep the skin healthy. It also prevents dull and irritable skin.
Avoid hot showers Hot baths may remove the essential oils from your tissues. Try using lukewarm water to retain the moisture.