Eczema and Asthma: Breaking the Cycle by Discovering the Skin–Lung Connection for True Healing

In natural healing, and especially in homeopathy, this connection is central. By understanding the relationship between skin and lungs, you can see your symptoms in a new light and support your body in ways that encourage balance instead of suppression.

Why the Skin and Lungs Are Connected

Our skin and lungs are not separate organs acting alone. They are deeply interconnected, and when one struggles, the other often speaks. Many parents notice that children with asthma often also have eczema, or that rashes flare when breathing issues appear. Understanding this connection is the first step toward long term healing.

Shared Function: Boundaries and Defense

The skin is the body’s outer shield, while the lungs act as the inner shield. Both are constantly in contact with the outside world.

• The skin interacts with touch, temperature, and external substances.
• The lungs interact with the air you breathe, filtering pollutants, allergens, and microbes.

Together, they form the body’s first line of defense. When either one is compromised, the other often shows stress as well.

Embryological Connection

From a developmental perspective, both the skin and the lungs originate from related embryological layers. This explains why they often mirror each other in health and disease. When the skin expresses imbalance through eruptions, it is an attempt to release what the body cannot hold inside. When the lungs express imbalance through cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath, they are also signaling that the body is struggling with boundaries and defense.

Symptom Shifts

This is why families often notice that when a skin condition is treated only on the surface, breathing issues may appear later. The imbalance has not disappeared. It has shifted from one boundary organ to another.

The Atopic March From Eczema to Asthma

The link between eczema, allergies, and asthma is so common that it has been given a medical name: the atopic march.

• Infants may begin with eczema.
• As they grow, they may develop seasonal allergies.
• Later, they may develop asthma.

Suppression Versus Support

When strong creams or medications suppress skin eruptions, the imbalance may be pushed deeper. The skin may appear clear, but the lungs begin to carry the burden, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, or asthma.

Natural healing approaches this very differently. Instead of silencing the skin, holistic medicine seeks to understand why the skin is expressing imbalance and how to support the system so deeper issues do not emerge. Respecting the body’s signals allows us to break the cycle of the atopic march.

Homeopathy for Eczema and Asthma

Homeopathy is uniquely suited for conditions that shift between skin and lungs because it treats the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Remedies are chosen based on the individual’s exact symptoms, sensations, and patterns.

Common Remedies for Skin,  Lung Conditions and Eczema and Asthma

• Sulphur Eruptions are red, itchy, and burning, worse from heat. The person may also suffer from chronic coughs or bronchitis. Restless, warm blooded individuals often need Sulphur.
• Graphites Eczema with thick, sticky discharge and painful cracks. May also have wheezing or sinus congestion. Often chilly and prone to digestive troubles.
• Arsenicum album Intense burning and itching eruptions, worse at night. Asthma with anxiety, restlessness, and fear. Breathing issues often worse after midnight, better in warmth.
• Antimonium tartaricum Rattling mucus in the chest that is difficult to expel. Common in children or older adults. May have a history of eczema or suppressed skin eruptions.
• Calcarea carbonica Children who sweat on the head, have delayed development, eczema, and recurrent chest infections. Often chubby, chilly, and crave eggs.
• Natrum muriaticum Dry, cracked skin that worsens with grief or emotional suppression. Asthma may appear after emotional shock or disappointment.
• Psorinum Stubborn, recurring eczema with foul smelling eruptions. Strong link to asthma with a sensation of suffocation, especially at night.
• Lycopodium Digestive complaints, bloating, and skin eruptions that alternate with asthma. Right sided symptoms and worse from late afternoon to evening are keynotes.

These remedies demonstrate how the skin and lungs can speak the same language in different ways. When the right remedy is selected, both the skin and lungs often improve together.

Herbal and Nutritional Support for Eczema and Asthma

Alongside homeopathy, herbs and nutrition provide excellent support for calming inflammation, soothing tissues, and restoring resilience.

Herbal Allies

• Licorice root Calms irritated lungs and supports adrenal balance.
• Calendula A gentle skin healing herb that also supports lymphatic cleansing.
• Nettle Mineral rich support for allergies and inflammation.
• Chamomile Reduces skin irritation and calms allergic reactions.
• Mullein Soothes respiratory tissues and supports clear breathing.

Nutritional Support

• Omega 3 fatty acids Fish, flax, and chia help reduce inflammation.
• Leafy greens and colorful fruits Provide antioxidants that protect tissues.
• Hydration Supports skin elasticity and lung moisture.
• Gentle topical care Calendula cream, oatmeal baths, or coconut oil soothe irritated skin without harsh chemicals.

Emotional and Energetic Connections for Eczema and Asthma

Holistic healing recognizes that the skin and lungs are not just physical organs but also carry emotional meaning.

• Lungs are associated with grief, sadness, and the challenge of letting go. Chronic asthma or shallow breathing often coincides with unresolved loss or emotional heaviness.

• Skin represents contact, protection, and boundaries. Eruptions may reflect feelings of being overly exposed, invaded, or uncomfortable with external contact.

Practical Emotional Healing Tools

• Guided breathwork supports the lungs while calming the nervous system.

• Journaling prompts encourage writing about moments where you felt exposed with the skin or suffocated in your breathing.

• Visualization can include imagining your skin glowing with resilience and your lungs expanding freely.

• Supportive therapies such as counseling, energy work, and homeopathy can help release stored emotions.

How Homeopathy Addresses the Whole Person

Homeopathy treats more than just the visible symptoms of eczema and asthma. A carefully chosen remedy is selected not only for the physical signs such as itching skin, wheezing, or coughing, but also for the mental and emotional state. Anxiety, grief, restlessness, irritability, or withdrawal may all guide the choice of remedy.

By aligning both the physical expression of eczema and asthma and the emotional experience, homeopathy helps restore balance on every level. Many people notice improvements in mood, energy, and overall resilience at the same time that their physical symptoms begin to heal.

Case Study: A Child with Eczema and Asthma

A 7 year old boy first came for consultation due to severe eczema and asthma. The eczema was on his arms and behind his knees. His parents reported that every time the eczema improved with steroid creams, he developed wheezing and shortness of breath. Over two years, the problem escalated into full asthma attacks.

On taking the full case, the observations was that he was restless, anxious at night, and often worse after midnight. His skin burned, and he sought warmth even while itching. Based on this total picture, Arsenicum album was prescribed. Over several months, his skin eruptions gradually improved without suppression, and his breathing became steadier. He no longer has asthma attacks, and his skin remains mostly clear with only occasional mild dryness. Treating the whole person helped resolve both eczema and asthma together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The skin and lungs are partners in protection, boundaries, and expression. When one organ struggles, the other often speaks. Suppressing symptoms may offer temporary relief, but true healing comes from addressing the whole person.

Homeopathy provides a powerful path to restore balance, while herbs, nutrition, and supportive lifestyle choices lay the foundation for lasting wellness. By listening to your body and respecting the connection between skin and lungs, you can move beyond temporary relief into real transformation.