Cannabis THC Might Alleviate Eczema, According to Dermatology Experts

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a common skin condition that causes inflammation, itching, and redness. Millions worldwide suffer from eczema, which causes discomfort and emotional distress. 

In Canada, eczema affects around 15–20% of the population, with another 17% expected to experience it at some time during their lives. Although conventional therapies provide some relief, many patients are still looking for better options. 

This leads to studies about cannabis THC as an alternative eczema treatment. But what do the studies suggest? 

Does searching for ‘cannabis near me’ really help alleviate eczema? What’s the perspective of dermatology experts about weed for treating skin conditions? Let’s find out. 

Understanding Dermatitis (Eczema)

Possible Signs and Causes

Inflammation and skin irritation are symptoms of eczema. The severity of the symptoms experienced by each person with eczema can range from mild to severe. This may involve:

• Dry Skin. Uncomfortable roughness or scaling of the skin
• Itching. The intense itching and scratching
• Redness. Rashes and swelling result from inflammation
• Rashes. These can be raised bumps or diffuse patches. In severe cases, rashes, blisters and ooze.

Various Types of Eczema

Type	Description	Characteristics
Atopic Dermatitis	A family history of allergies or asthma may cause this condition.	May start in childhood but can last into adulthood. A weak skin barrier makes the skin more susceptible to irritants and allergens.
Contact Dermatitis	It happens when a skin irritant or allergen touches the skin.	Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Allergens like poison ivy, nickel, or perfumes trigger this.
		Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Resulting from contact with irritants such as acids, solvents, or detergents.
Seborrheic Dermatitis	Mainly affects the scalp, face, and upper chest, which have oil glands.	Linked to the yeast Malassezia. Leads to redness and flaky, greasy scales. Prone in body parts with sebaceous glands.
Nummular Eczema	Manifests as red, itchy patches on the skin that resemble coins.	Dry skin, excessive bathing, or skin injuries are common causes of these crusty or fluid-filled patches.

What Can Make Eczema Worse

1. Potential allergens

Pollen, pet dander, certain foods, and dust mites can cause flare-ups. Managing eczema requires identifying and avoiding allergens.

2. Stress

Stress can worsen eczema at times. Stress hormones can weaken the skin’s barrier, making it more susceptible to irritants and infections.

3. Climate

Weather impacts eczema management. Hot, humid weather increases sweating and irritation, while cold, dry air strips moisture from the skin. Rapid temperature changes can cause flare-ups.

4. Irritants

Daily soaps, detergents, and skin care products can irritate sensitive skin. Avoid irritation by using mild, fragrance-free products.

Current Treatment Options for Dermatitis

1. Steroids. Topical corticosteroids are the primary eczema treatment. Taking an anti-inflammatory medicine can reduce inflammation and itching. 
2. Moisturizers. Maintaining skin hydration and barrier function with emollients and moisturizers helps manage eczema.
3. Antihistamines. Oral antihistamines reduce nighttime itching.
4. Corticosteroids. Systemic corticosteroids may treat severe eczema. These potent anti-inflammatory drugs treat acute flare-ups but are usually short-term due to side effects.

Limitations of These Available Treatments

Potential Side Effects

Prolonged use of topical steroids can thin, discolour, and cause other side effects. Weight gain, hypertension, and osteoporosis are more serious side effects of oral corticosteroids.

Different Success Rates

The efficacy for each person varies considerably. These treatments help some patients, but others may not.

Need for Alternative Treatments

Alternative therapies are needed due to current treatment limitations and side effects. According to recent studies, cannabis may help eczema sufferers. 

THC in Cannabis: How it Helps Alleviate Eczema

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is cannabis’ main psychoactive ingredient. Its chemical structure allows to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates many physiological processes. THC’s ability to treat eczema’s inflammatory and symptomatic aspects supports its therapeutic potential.

What Tetrahydrocannabinol Does to the Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system includes receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes that synthesize and degrade them. CB1 and CB2 are the primary cannabinoid receptors.

• CB1 Receptors. THC’s psychoactive effects come from these brain and central nervous system receptors.
• CB2 Receptors. These receptors regulate pain and inflammation in peripheral organs and immune cells.

Tetrahydrocannabinol mimics endocannabinoids by binding to these receptors. Doing so can affect pain perception, immune response, and inflammation.

Potential Therapeutic Effects

Anti-inflammatory Properties

• Effectively reduces inflammation. 
• Modulates the immune response and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines via CB2 receptors. 
• Especially helpful for inflammatory conditions like eczema.

Reduced Pain and Itching

Chronic itching and pain are common symptoms of eczema and can severely limit a person’s function. Tetrahydrocannabinol relieves these symptoms in several ways:

• Pain Relief. Relieves eczema pain by binding to brain CB1 receptors.
• Less Itching. Reduces eczema’s painful itching by interacting with the ECS. Modulating nerve signals and skin receptor sensitivity reduce the itch response.

Expert Study on the Impact of Cannabidiol on Eczema

There’s a research conducted in controlled laboratory settings and real-life animal models.

• The study published in Trends Pharmacol Sci. investigates the effects of cannabis on skin cells and animal models. 
• Anti-inflammatory properties are shown by synthetic CB agonists and endocannabinoids like anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). 
• They inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and reduce inflammation in allergic contact dermatitis and UV-induced skin carcinogenesis.

Endocannabinoid System’s (ECS) Action in Allergy and Inflammation

• Skin immune responses and inflammation depend on the ECS. 
• The ECS protects against allergic inflammation like contact dermatitis by suppressing pro-inflammatory molecules like cytokines and chemokines. 
• Cannabinoids like Tetrahydrocannabinol also reduce allergic skin inflammation in IgE-induced cutaneous anaphylaxis animal models.

Clinical Applications

• Emerging evidence suggests targeting the ECS may help manage inflammatory skin disorders like eczema. 
• Cannabinoid ligands or ECS-stimulating agents in topical formulations may reduce skin inflammation and eczema symptoms. 
• A cannabinoid-like topical emulsion improved symptom resolution by 80% in a pediatric atopic dermatitis pilot study.

Results

Cannabis has promising preclinical and preliminary clinical studies for treating eczema. But it requires optimal dosage and administration route. Inflammatory skin conditions like eczema may be treated by targeting the ECS, which regulates skin inflammation and immune responses. 

Tips for Selecting the Best Cannabis Strains

Selecting the right cannabis strains is essential for therapeutic effects. Experts recommend strains with higher THC and lower CBD for dermatitis, especially eczema.

• Importance of THC: CBD Ratio. Cannabis products’ therapeutic properties depend on the THC: CBD ratio. THC’s anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties make high-THC strains ideal for eczema treatment.
• Sativas and Sativa-Dominant Strains. Eczema treatment involves sativa strains or sativa-dominant hybrids. Sativas are energizing and suitable for daytime use without sedation.

Recommended Cannabis Products for Eczema Treatment

Product Name	Type	Strain	THC Content
Haze Sativa	Flower	Sativa	210-250mg/g
Jolts Arctic Cherry Sativa Lozenges	Edibles	Sativa	100mg/pack
Strawberry N’ Mintz Pre-Rolls	Pre-roll	Sativa	240-300mg/g
Blue Dream Bath Bomb	Topical	Blend	50mg
Rocket Bomb 510 Cartridge	Vape	Blend	860-910mg/g
Hawaiian Sativa THCA Diamonds	Concentrate	Blend	820-880mg/g

Forms of Application

• Topical Creams and Ointments. Applying a topical solution helps alleviate inflammation and itching in specific areas. Localized pain relief is possible with tetrahydrocannabinol.
• Inhalation. You can smoke or vape cannabis to relieve symptoms quickly.
• Edibles. Tetrahydrocannabinol is quickly and discreetly administered through cannabis-infused edibles. However, effects may be delayed compared to inhalation or topical application.

Safety and Dosage

Before using cannabis to treat eczema, make sure you know the proper dosage and that it’s safe to use:

• Collaborating with medical experts. Consult a doctor before starting any cannabis-based treatment, especially if you have a health condition or take medications.
• Start with low doses. Improve tolerance assessment by starting at low doses. Increase as needed.
• Effect monitoring. Regularly assess treatment’s effects on symptoms, side effects, and well-being. Adapt dosage and application to individual response to mount pleasant experience.

Relieve Eczema With A Reliable Cannabis Dispensary

There is strong evidence that tetrahydrocannabinol may help eczema sufferers by reducing symptoms and enhancing skin health generally. You may consider cannabis for treatment, especially if conventional therapies have failed.

Buying weed products from a reputable cannabis store is the best way to guarantee their quality and safety. Sea to Sky Cannabis offers unparalleled dispensary experience in Vancouver BC, through a diverse selection of quality products. You can visit our cannabis store, conveniently located in Fraser St., or browse our wide selection and buy weed online for your eczema-relief needs. 

Searching for a cannabis store near me? Look no further than Sea to Sky Cannabis for quality you can count on.