Eczema is a common condition that affects people of all skin colors. But according to some experts, Black Americans may be more likely to develop eczema and also experience a more severe form of the disease. This blog post will cover the basics of eczema and discuss how CBD can help relieve symptoms in those with Black American descent. In addition to CBD, there are other natural treatments for eczema such as using products with shea butter or aloe vera.
You’ll learn about the most effective CBD products available and what you should know before using them.
- Eczema in Black Americans
- Understanding How CBD Helps the Skin
- CBD as a Healthful Option for Eczema
- The best CBD products for treating eczema in Black Americans
To learn more about the benefits of CBD, read my article on how it can help Black Americans with their eczema
Eczema in Black Americans
Eczema affects 20.2% of Black American children, far exceeding its affects on children of different races. Though this doesn’t remain a constant for Black adults, our community has a higher likelihood of developing severe forms of it.
The impact of this ailment hits differently on Black bodies: eczema may cause small bumps to form all over one’s toros, arms and legs. Affected areas can end up being gray, purple or dark brown skin patches that vary in itchiness and dryness.
It’s theorized that genetic and environment factors like fast food consumption, extreme temperatures and rural versus urban living could increase the risk. With this considered, the unique problem for Black Americans with eczema is getting a timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
Read this personal deep dive into how unequal care influences the steady rise of eczema in our communities. It’s penned by Ashley Wall, a health writer diagnosed with the skin condition. She’s committed to addressing the barriers and potential causes thanks to her lifetime of experience. Give her a follow on Instagram!
Understanding how CBD helps our skin
Dysregulation of your skin/body can lead to a variety of skin disorders. Dysregulation means being out of balance, where that’s emotionally, mentally, physically or (commonly) a combination of the 3.
To be regulated is to be balanced, to reach homeostasis: this is how CBD and THC helps our bodies. These cannabinoids tap into our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). That’s the ease you feel when consuming hemp and/or cannabis products.
This study dives into CBD’s therapeutic potential for skin. It explores a plethora of skin disorders like eczema, atopic dermatitis, and inflammation. What the study did show is that this cannabinoid has anti-inflammatory properties. And it could also help with one’s itch response.
Still, clinical trials are needed to validate efficiency.
Continuing with a focus on inflammation, this study explores the 3-month results of applying a CBD topical twice-a-day. The ointment was placed on lesioned skin areas. And showed steady improvement without negative side effects.
At this time, we didn’t come across studies targeting Black skin and CBD. If you have resources, please comment them!
As you may have read ad nauseam, CBD is not meant to replace your current treatment plan. Work with your physician and a CBD/cannabis medical professional to choose your best options.
CBD as a Healthful Option for Eczema
Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, CBD is not a replacement for your current treatment plan. But it can be added as support to your regime. According to Dr. Peter Lio, using hemp-derived topicals “is a very promising treatment for eczema” thanks to its medicinal properties.
In the face of inflammation, itchiness, pain and even sleep loss, there are a handful of studies reflecting CBD’s benefits. Dr. Lio states that many of his patients benefited from CBD products despite there being limited studies on humans (most are performed on animals). Though the risks seem limited, he recommends to test a small area for reactions.
If you or your loved ones deal with flare-ups caused by infections, a study suggests that CBD is also great against bacteria. Additionally, there’s research that reflects that CBD dials down itchiness to 60% in humans and 33.6% of participants didn’t need topical steroid treatments anymore.
Still, given the variety of CBD topicals on the market and dosing, doctors feel they can’t offer specific insight. So make sure to work with a medical professional who can direct and track your usage well.
Read on for CBD skin products we recommend.
Black with Eczema? Browse our best CBD skin products
Before we list out great high quality CBD topicals for your eczema, let’s discuss safety and use. Don’t use this product on broken skin. As recommended above, test the product first to make sure you’re not allergic. Place it inside your wrist and wait a day: if your skin gets irritated in any way, discontinue use.
You want to invest in high quality products to avoid contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals and residual solvents that could irritate your skin. Make sure you’re applying an actual CBD moisturizer—CBD oil tinctures aren’t very effective.
With that in mind, here’s what we recommend.
Scotch Porter’s Face Lotion contains 25mg of pure CBD isolate, along with turmeric, peony and meadowsweet to moisturize your skin. This is a broad spectrum product.
If you’re looking for a full spectrum CBD coconut oil, Lazarus Naturals has you covered. You can use it right out of the jar or mix it with other topicals you find beneficial.
Looking for a soothing option for bed? Check out CBDMd’s Night Time Bath Salts that also contains lavender, eucalyptus or a melatonin mix. A broad spectrum product, it also contains hemp-derived cannabinoids like cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG).
Last up is another from Lazarus Naturals. Their Soothing Mint Full Spectrum CBD Balm contains mango butter, beeswax, CBD hemp extract and all natural terpenes. It comes Lavender-scent and unscented.
Takeaways
Researchers have found how CBD may help with eczema. The best thing to do is speak with a dermatologist about what is best for you.
Particularly, as a Black American make sure to work with medical professionals who listen to you, are comfortable with hemp/cannabis and acknowledge the disparities we experience.
What CBD products have you tried for eczema? Comment below! We’d love to talk to you.