Episode 287
A Holistic Approach to Eczema (feat. Andra McHugh)
Do you or someone you know suffer from eczema? Then you’ll know that steroid prescriptions are what most doctors prescribe as treatment. But what if there is a holistic approach that focuses on nutrition, gut health, and environmental factors, that can help tackle the root cause? Listen in for practical ways to get started healing from the inside out, and the outside in.
In today’s episode of Salad With a Side of Fries, Jenn Trepeck welcomes Andra McHugh, host of The Eczema Kids Podcast, to share her personal journey with her children’s eczema struggles and how she turned them into a mission to help others. They discuss holistic approaches to managing eczema, from food choices and digestive health to creating a non-toxic home environment. Andra emphasizes the importance of commitment and community support in healing, offering practical steps for long-term success. Don’t miss Andra’s exclusive offer for Salad with a Side of Fries Members of $400 off her five-piece eczema elimination method for the Salad with a Side of Fries community. And Andra’s FREE product guide is linked below.
The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- [4:44] Andra’s story of how her children suffered from eczema
- [7:58] The difference between skin irritation and eczema and getting to the root cause
- [11:21] A discussion on skin care to manage the discomfort of symptoms and addressing the root cause along with the support of community
- [18:10] Step one is commitment, no matter what, for 90 days
- [20:28] Andra suggests spices and other food choices and food groups and eating for ultimate digestion
- [25:32] Eating seasonal foods foods and crops
- [27:38] Tips for making your home non-toxic
- [34:08] Treating eczema holistically one step at a time
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Severe eczema in children can be challenging to manage with conventional treatments, such as steroid prescriptions. A holistic approach focuses on healing from the root cause rather than simply managing symptoms. This includes addressing underlying issues such as gut health, diet, and environmental factors while making small, consistent changes for long-term healing.
- Food combinations and digestion-focused diets are essential for gut health, eczema, and other skin conditions. For example, grains can be soaked in lemon water and cooked in an Instapot to reduce lectins and promote digestion. Focusing on digestion can help with conditions like eczema, as the digestive system plays a key role in nutrient absorption and symptom management.
- Creating a non-toxic home environment is vital for holistic eczema healing. This includes using natural cleaners (e.g., tea tree oil and vinegar), reducing EMF exposure, and addressing potential mold and water quality issues. Switching from plastic to glass or stainless steel in the kitchen, eliminating toxic chemicals from household items, and focusing on non-toxic materials for clothing can significantly improve eczema symptoms.
QUOTES:
[8:53] “Eczema is an autoimmune, right? It's an inflammatory condition, essentially. It stems from the gut. As we often say, our skin is our intestines turned inside out, right?” - Jenn Trepeck
[10:10] “Everything that's touching your skin needs to be digestible because your skin is your largest organ.” - Andra McHugh
[13:33] “If you're not sleeping through the night, everything becomes infinitely harder” - Jenn Trepeck
[15:46] “There's that ownership and autonomy that I think can be empowering versus overwhelming.” - Jenn Trepeck
[24:53] ”We want to be particular about the ingredients in the foods that we're buying, even though they're saying it's gluten-free or grain-free.” - Jenn Trepeck
[27:54] “Unfortunately, this is how our homes are built, including all the smart appliances. alarm systems and everything is hooked up to Wi-Fi. It's such an inflammatory environment.” - Andra McHugh.
[33:19] “ I love your language: putting it in escrow. It all adds up, and it’s worth it. Any step you can take is worth it.” Jenn Trepeck
RESOURCES:
Become A Member of Salad with a Side of Fries
A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch
A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram
GUESTS MENTIONED GETTING THEIR RESOURCES
Eczema Kids - Elimination Method
Eczema-Safe Product Guide Freebie
GUEST BIOGRAPHY:
Meet Andra McHugh: a veggie-loving, matcha-sipping mom of four who turned her family’s eczema struggles into a mission to help other parents reclaim their children’s health. After months of sleepless nights and endless frustration with conventional medicine, Andra took matters into her own hands. She discovered natural, practical solutions that healed her kids’ painful, itchy skin and gave them back their childhoods.
Now, as the host of the Eczema Kids Podcast, Andra shares her proven strategies with families everywhere—covering diet, natural remedies, and practical hacks for busy parents. Her mission? To empower you with simple, actionable steps to heal your child’s eczema and create a healthier, happier home.
