Note: In this article, I’m sharing real, unedited photos from my personal journey with eczema on my hands. While documenting these challenging moments wasn’t easy, I hope they help others who are feeling frustrated with similar struggles. Make sure to read all the way till the very end.
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Have you ever felt like your body was trying to tell you something, but you just couldn’t decode the message? As a holistic nutrition practitioner, I help others navigate their wellness journeys every day. But when my skin started acting up after I relocated to a new state, I found myself on an unexpected path of discovery that changed everything.
When Everything Changed: My Unexpected Skin Story
It started innocently enough – a few patches on my hands after the move. But soon, these patches spread to my ankles and shins. As someone who has supported hundreds of clients through their health transitions, I felt both frustrated and humbled. Here I was, struggling with my own stubborn skin challenges despite my knowledge and experience.
What I Tried First (That Didn’t Work)
Like many of you might have done, I started with the obvious solutions:
- Switched to all-natural, organic skincare products
- Tried various botanical oils and butters
- Explored homeopathic remedies
- Implemented a strict elimination diet
- Used only organic, fragrance-free products
Despite following a mostly organic, plant-based diet and avoiding common triggers, my skin continued to send distress signals. Something was missing from the puzzle.
The Lightbulb Moment: Understanding My Skin’s Message
Then it hit me. As the body’s largest organ, our skin plays a crucial role in natural detoxification processes. When my skin was showing signs of distress, it wasn’t just a surface-level issue – it was trying to tell me something about my internal environment.
I noticed something interesting: despite my clean diet, I was experiencing digestive challenges, particularly constipation. That’s when it really started to click for me. If my detox pathways weren’t functioning properly, my skin could be taking on more of the load to try and compensate. My skin was in emergency mode, doing all the heavy lifting because my body’s normal detox pathways were clogged up. Think of it like when your kitchen sink is backed up – the water has to go somewhere, right? My body was stuck in the same situation. With my digestion moving slowly and my liver bogged down, my skin became the backup plan.
The Unexpected Solution
I’ll be honest – so many nights I laid awake scratching my hands raw, feeling completely lost. I’d tried everything I could think of, spent a small fortune on natural creams and homeopathic remedies, and was about ready to give up. But something in my gut (pun intended!) told me I was missing the bigger picture.
Here’s where things get interesting—and maybe a little weird. The solution that finally worked for me wasn’t what anyone would expect. It definitely wasn’t what I expected, and trust me, as a holistic practitioner, I thought I’d seen it all. What ended up helping wasn’t what I put on my skin but how I helped my body clean the house from the inside.
I’m going to share some approaches that might raise your eyebrows—they sure raised mine at first! But stick with me here—sometimes, the most unexpected solutions are the ones that work.
Understanding Coffee Enemas
I’ll never forget the night I first read about coffee enemas. It was 2 AM, my hands were on fire, and I was looking for answers deep in another internet rabbit hole. When I saw “coffee enemas” pop up. You want me to do what with coffee?
The more I researched, the more I found solid information about this practice—not just random blog posts but actual medical documents and studies going back decades. Still, I sat on the information for weeks. It seemed so extreme. But then I had another flare-up that left my hands cracked and bleeding, and I thought, what do I have to lose?
I’m sharing this because I believe in honesty about what worked for me, even if it’s not your typical solution. This isn’t the kind of thing you’ll hear about at your regular doctor’s visit, but sometimes, the most effective approaches are the ones that require us to step out of our comfort zones.
[Note: Coffee enemas should only be done with proper guidance and after consulting your healthcare provider. Using the right equipment, following safety measures, and maintaining hygiene protocols are important.]
If you’re curious about learning more, here are the products I went with after much research:
- PURELIFE Enema Kit (Medical Grade Silicone)
- Pure Organic Coffee (specifically for enema use)
Nightly Castor Oil Packs
One of the most transformative practices in my routine became the ancient wisdom of castor oil packs. After struggling with persistent constipation (which I now recognize as a clear sign of sluggish detoxification), I turned to this time-tested tradition. Using this castor oil pack for the liver overnight with organic, cold-pressed castor oil became my nightly companion.
The gentle warmth and steady pressure seemed to support my body’s natural rhythms. Within weeks, I noticed improvements in my digestion and felt more energetic in the mornings. This made perfect sense—our bodies can better maintain balance when our elimination pathways move smoothly.
Heat Therapy Sessions for Natural Support
My weekly infrared sauna sessions quickly became a sacred part of my self-care routine, and the difference was clear. The soothing warmth helped my body do what it does best, and I always felt my skin calm and settle after each session. While my local spa had sauna treatments, I wanted something I could use more regularly without the hassle of leaving home.
After some research, I tried an Infrared Portable Sauna Tent, which was a total game-changer for my at-home wellness routine. This portable sauna tent fits perfectly into my busy life, allowing me to get in a session while I watch TV or listen to podcasts. Plus, it’s easy to store and doesn’t take up much space.
What I love about infrared heat therapy:
- Promotes relaxation and comfort
- Supports the body’s natural detoxification processes through gentle sweating
- More comfortable than traditional saunas – I can easily do 30-40 minute sessions
- Helps maintain healthy circulation
- Perfect for unwinding before bed
Pro tip: When starting out, I recommend keeping your sessions to 20-30 minutes and always staying hydrated before and after. I personally love sipping mineral-rich coconut water during my cool-down period.
My Daily Routine Now
Here’s what my maintenance routine looks like:
- Morning detox support routine (including coffee enema 2-3 times per week)
- Morning liver support supplements with breakfast
- Proper hydration throughout the day
- Evening castor oil pack session while reading or meditating
- Weekly sauna sessions for relaxation
- Regular movement to support natural body processes
Important Notes
Remember, everyone’s body is unique, and what worked for me might not be the exact path for you. Healing is deeply personal, and it’s so important to:
- Work with qualified healthcare practitioners who can guide you.
- Tune in to your body’s signals—they’re there for a reason.
- Make changes gradually, giving your body time to adjust.
- Pay close attention to how your body responds along the way.
- This journey is about finding what supports your body best, one step at a time.
Moving Forward
Looking at my hands now, it’s hard to believe they were ever like the photos I share (see them below). This journey has been about so much more than just my skin—it’s completely transformed how I see health. What started as a frustrating skin issue became a wake-up call, urging me to tune in and listen to my body.
I’ve realized that real healing isn’t about the perfect cream or a quick fix. Those red, irritated patches weren’t just skin deep—they were my body’s way of asking for help from the inside out. When I finally stopped and paid attention to those signals, everything started to change.
If you’re going through something similar, maybe your body is speaking to you too. Take a moment to pause, really listen, and stay open to solutions you might not have considered before.
Disclaimer: This article shares my personal experience and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new health routine or using supplements. The product recommendations in this post contain affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. This doesn’t affect your purchase price and helps support the creation of free content.
Before Pictures
After Pictures
