Over the last decade, cannabidiol (CBD) has, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties, made significant inroads into the public conversation surrounding alternative health and wellness. While quality studies remain limited, many researchers and clinicians actively exploring CBD concur that it could be an effective therapeutic for autoimmune and inflammatory skin disorders, like eczema, and other pathologies that are often difficult to treat through conventional methods.
The benefits of CBD topicals for eczema are still under review. However, various studies in cutaneous biology reveal that the skin is modulated by the human endocannabinoid system. Medical practitioners have, therefore, identified cannabinoids and CBD, in particular, the non-psychoactive compound in the cannabis sativa plant, as a key point of focus. This shared underlying molecular mechanism between cannabinoids and the human skin could eventually prove that CBD is a potentially effective therapeutic for various dermatological disorders, including eczema.
The restricted legal status of the cannabis plant and its derivatives means that medical professionals have, to this point, been gathering their data primarily through anecdotal patient accounts and small, inferior studies with limited controls. However, the recent existing preclinical research exhibits a growing body of evidence that CBD could be an efficacious treatment for skin disorders like eczema. Thus far, the findings are assuredly promising enough to warrant further investigation.
Conventional Eczema Treatments: What The Latest Studies Show
Eczema is a painful and not infrequently debilitating skin disorder that can be challenging to treat. Aside from producing dry, flaking patches of skin, eczema often presents as an itchy rash that can become chronic in some patients. Traditionally, doctors have relied on corticosteroids to treat eczema. The results, however, have varied from short-lasting to ineffective, while topical steroids carry their own set of side effects that can be serious.
Studies from the National Eczema Association have shown that the long-term use of prescriptive cortisol and hydrocortisone creams can lend themselves to additional skin problems acne, purpura, and rosacea, or even a worsening and spreading of the eczema condition itself [1]. Some eczema patients report side effects from topical steroid withdrawal after use extending longer than two weeks. Some potentially debilitating withdrawal symptoms include:
- A burning sensation
- Swelling
- Oozing
- Insomnia
- Hair loss
- Steroid dermatitis
- Tremors
- Mental depression
To relieve the often plaguing symptoms of eczema and avoid the negative side effects associated with cortisol and hydrocortisone steroid treatments, patients have been exploring CBD as a viable alternative. The natural compound has recently become popular among some users in a short time as a reliable option for an array of pathologies that can be difficult to treat through conventional methods. Now, let’s take a closer look at what CBD is and why this naturally occurring chemical has been gaining such a positive reputation as a potential treatment for skin disorders like eczema.
What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a cannabinoid. The chemically active molecule is derived from the cannabis sativa family and is generally separable into two categories: hemp and the TCH-laden marijuana plant. CBD is discoverable in both hemp and delta [9]-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC-rich plants. Unlike TCH, the CBD cannabinoid is regarded as non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t produce the euphoric effects associated with the marijuana high.
Research into both TCH and CBD shows they both evidence potentially potent health benefits, but the studies are ongoing. Anecdotal accounts documented between patients and doctors reveal that CBD may be able to naturally improve several difficult-to-treat conditions like sleep and anxiety disorders, neurodegenerative disease, chronic pain, and inflammatory skin issues such as eczema.
How Do CBD For Eczema Work?
Since eczema occurs at the surface of the skin, most patients prefer to use it as a topical ointment, which comes in either an oil or cream form. However, whether or not CBD is more effective as a topical is still under review.
To elaborate further on this point, the bioavailability, the rate at which a substance reaches the bloodstream, may not be as high as when you ingest the compound orally. The skin is high in water content, and cannabinoids won’t dissolve in water. This has led some researchers to conclude that CBD’s bioavailability as a topical may not be as high because it can’t cross the skin barrier.
In regards to eczema’s itchiness, researchers have found the creams with cannabinoids can reduce the severity of itching by up to 60% [2].
Another study from 2019 also noted that among patients with a variety of skin conditions, including eczema, CBD was found to be a safe option that reduced skin inflammation and itchiness [3].
With that mentioned, well-tested and engineered CBD topicals, like those offered by Sugar Bottom Hemp, contain carrier oils that dissolve the cannabinoid, allowing them to penetrate the skin barrier. The effect is that the CBD compound is vectored through the skin to prospectively render the desired relief and positive effects. Topical products like these usually contain argan oil and olive oil to assist in transporting cannabinoids through the skin and into the bloodstream where the compound starts to work.
Does CBD Have Any Negative Side Effects?
By most accounts, CBD the outlook for treating eczema with CBD is promising. However, the natural compound is not entirely without its downsides. It is always advisable to consult a medical professional before starting any treatment regime, just as it’s equally important to never consume CBD beyond the recommended dosage.
The most frequently reported side effects from CBD include drowsiness, melancholy, and sometimes diarrhea. However, side effects may be avoided by simply lowering the dosage. Overconsumption of CBD should be always avoided because it can contribute to liver complications.
It’s not uncommon for people to start using CBD and anticipate TCH-like effects. This expectation may cause some users to use too much of the compound. It’s important to remember, as well, that CBD is non-psychoactive. While CBD might help with relaxation and stress-relieve, it hardly produces an overt sensation of being high like its TCH-rich counterpart.
One study suggests that CBD has anti-microbial properties and could serve as an effective antibiotic to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus or staph infections on the skin that can trigger other serious ailments [4]. Nonetheless, research is still rather limited, making it difficult to draw any firm conclusions about how effective CBD is as a treatment for eczema. As federal restrictions on help products have eased, it’s safe to expect more concrete answers on the subject soon.
Best CBD Topicals
CBD Topicals for Eczema from Sugar Bottom Hemp
Those who struggle with eczema know it can be a difficult ailment to treat, while conventional medicines often include negative side effects. Recent studies show that CBD displays an excellent potential as a natural therapeutic for eczema and other skin disorders.
To learn more about CBD topical skin creams and ointments, follow the link to continue exploring the diverse range of natural, high-quality cannabidiol products from Sugar Bottom Hemp now.
Resources
- Hewett, L. (2022, August 31). TSW: What the eczema community needs to know. National Eczema Association. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://nationaleczema.org/blog/tsw-need-to-know/
- National Eczema Association. (2022, November 1). Can cannabis help your eczema? what you need to know. National Eczema Association. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://nationaleczema.org/blog/can-marijuana-help/
- Palmieri B, Laurino C, Vadalà M. A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars. Clin Ter. 2019 Mar-Apr;170(2):e93-e99. doi: 10.7417/CT.2019.2116. PMID: 30993303.
- Wassmann CS, Højrup P, Klitgaard JK. Cannabidiol is an effective helper compound in combination with bacitracin to kill Gram-positive bacteria. Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 5;10(1):4112. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-60952-0. PMID: 32139776; PMCID: PMC7057955.
