Itching and bleeding are two of the symptoms that eczema can cause. These rough patches of skin are inflamed with blisters and cause a lot of discomfort amongst the individuals who have it. This skin inflammation is believed to be caused by coming into contact with irritants as well as being caused by certain diseases and allergies. Some people may know eczema as dermatitis. We know that cannabis is a powerful healing balm, but can it help alleviate eczema?
The dermatological community has a lot of interest and hope in cannabis as an alternative treatment pathway for a variety of skin diseases including eczema. Their hope and interest lay in the cream/lotion/salve version of cannabis. Unfortunately, just like many other areas of interest in cannabis, there is trouble in the regulatory market of cannabis topicals as well as insufficient research on the matter.
One of the many benefits an individual can get from cannabis is the fact that it possesses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-itch properties. Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant are powerful enough to reduce the symptoms and appearance of skin conditions such as this one. It can do this due to the phytocannabinoids (the plant’s cannabinoids) interacting with our body’s endogenous cannabinoid system.
The potential benefits of cannabis on skin conditions such as eczema:
- Relief from the relentless itching.
- Relief from pruritus which is the unpleasant desire to scratch.
- Relief from the pain caused by open blisters and bleeding.
- Reduction in the extent of the skin condition.
- Reduced need for antihistamines, topical immunomodulators, and topical steroids.
- Providing sleep aid for those nights when eczema keeps you up.
- It can also increase the moisture in those areas as they are typically dry.
There is also a theory that cannabis can help with the downregulation of must cells. Must cells release a histamine reaction when activated which can worsen the condition. Therefore, the downregulation of those cells will prevent the release of unwanted histamines that can worsen eczema.
It is also important to note that some people who may have an absence of cannabinoid receptors may then have a heightened inflammatory response. This is one of the more complex situations that are yet to be researched regarding the use of cannabis for skin conditions.
Despite the fact that cannabis treatment for eczema has already demonstrated some desirable responses along with some complexities regarding some patients with absent cannabinoid receptors, there is still enough evidence that this treatment should be investigated more progressively. Many clinical professionals in the dermatology department are advocating for more extensive research so that they may discover better means for treatment application as well as to determine more certain outcomes so that they may advise their patients with certainty.
Unfortunately, cannabis, like any other treatment for eczema will not be able to cure the person of their skin condition…at least for now. Cannabis will just act as a powerful agent of alleviating the itching, inflammation, pain, and coverage of the skin condition. With hope, more clinical data will help open the door for these compelling compounds to help many people struggling with skin conditions such as eczema.
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