Medical Marijuana and Eczema

Eczema is an incurable disease that is caused by a combination of genetics, environmental triggers, stress, and immune system activation. One of the first things that you’ll need to learn is what triggers your symptoms. Once you identify these triggers, you can better manage the disease.

However, this will not prevent the symptoms entirely so you need to be prepared for when the itching, discomfort and pain begin. Finding natural relief and avoiding the medications often used to treat skin conditions such as steroid creams will prove to be beneficial to your overall health and reduce many side effects associated with them.

Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of eczema:

• Your immune system. Eczema doesn’t mean that you have a weak immune system, just a sensitive one. Your immune system overreacts to small irritants or allergens, which causes your skin to become inflamed.
• Genetics. It’s likely that eczema runs in your family, and if there is a history of asthma, hay fever, and/or allergens, you are at an increased risk of having eczema as well.
• Environmental. This could be smoke, air pollutants, soaps, or fabric that irritates your skin. This list can be extensive and precise, from cold to dry weather or simply dampness in the air. Many times it will be specific things such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold, cows’ milk, eggs, peanuts, or specific materials that touch the skin.

Some of the most common symptoms of eczema include:

• Dry skin
• Itchy skin
• Red rashes
• Bumps on the skin
• Scaly, leathery patches of skin
• Crusting skin
• Swelling

What causes eczema to flare up?

• Dry skin: If you aren’t correctly moisturizing your skin or staying hydrated, your skin will become brittle, rough, and tight. This can worsen eczema symptoms and cause flare-ups.
• Chemical irritants: Certain fragrances, chemicals, lotions, cigarette smoke, and environmental toxins will worsen or trigger eczema symptoms. Learning your specific triggers is vital to managing eczema and can take a great amount of time to determine.
• Stress: Emotional stress will trigger eczema symptoms. Learning how to manage stress will help to reduce eczema flare-ups. This can be getting adequate sleep, exercising, or taking CBD products.

Marijuana has anti-itch, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties; these are beneficial compounds that will help to relieve symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions and why it’s so helpful to treating eczema and psoriasis.

When the cannabinoids, which are found in marijuana, interact with the receptors of the skin nerve fibers, it helps to reduce the symptoms and appearance that are commonly associated with skin conditions.

Smoking medical marijuana isn’t the only way to receive the many benefits of marijuana, and marijuana can be used as edibles, vapes, and topicals. Regardless of the form, it is effective at providing the relief that you need.

There are a variety of cannabis topicals that you can use to treat eczema on hands, elbows, or any other area. Generally, there are different types of products when it comes to marijuana cream, and you can choose topical THC products or CBD cream for eczema.

Topicals are prepared as oils, creams, and other products, and they are applied directly to the affected area. Regardless if you’re using cannabis oil for eczema or creams, the way that they work will be the same.  The cannabis or CBD will be absorbed into the skin and binds to the cannabinoid receptors in your body to reduce or eliminate the pain or discomfort associated with eczema.

Simply put, yes, there are a handful of benefits of CBD for skin conditions. CBD has been proven to reduce swelling, redness, irritation, and pain associated with eczema and other skin conditions, and it can also reduce itching with its anti-itch properties.

You can find CBD in many forms, including creams, salves, balms, lotions, and oils. These are legal to purchase without a medical card and can be found in many stores.

With the increase of research being performed around the effectiveness medical marijuana has on eczema, many states are listing eczema as a qualifying medical condition. However, the only way that you’ll know if you qualify for a medical card in your state is by scheduling an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor.

A marijuana doctor in your state understands the laws and requirements to obtain your card. They will be able to determine if this condition is listed for your state and provide you with the requirements needed for you to complete an application.

At Elevate Holistics, we work with doctors and dispensaries across the country. We also provide in-home appointments allowing us to qualify for your medical condition without ever having to leave your home. Schedule your appointment today, and we can get you one step closer to getting your medical card and finally getting relief from eczema.