What causes persistent skin and body concerns?
Quick answer: Chronic acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and hair or nail issues are frequently driven by gut health imbalances, hormonal fluctuations, liver congestion, nutrient deficiencies, or immune dysregulation. Lasting improvement requires addressing the internal drivers, not just managing surface symptoms.
Your skin, hair, and nails are a window into your internal health. When something isn’t right on the surface, it’s almost always reflecting a deeper imbalance. This is why topical treatments alone so often fail — they manage the symptom without addressing the cause.
What skin conditions do you most commonly see?
Acne: Whether hormonal, gut-driven, or post-pill, acne responds well to a naturopathic approach that addresses the internal drivers. Read my dedicated acne page for more detail.
Eczema: Eczema reflects immune dysregulation and often has strong gut health connections. I assess for food sensitivities, gut permeability, and microbiome imbalances. Research shows that gut microbiome diversity in early life is a significant predictor of eczema development (Abrahamsson et al., 2012, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology).
Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition where the immune system accelerates skin cell production. My approach targets the immune dysregulation driving it — gut health, dietary triggers, stress, and liver support — alongside symptom management.
Rosacea: Often linked to gut health (SIBO is significantly more prevalent in rosacea patients), liver function, and inflammatory triggers. Addressing these underlying factors can substantially reduce flares.
What about hair loss and nail health?
Hair loss can be driven by iron deficiency (ferritin below 40 μg/L is commonly associated with shedding), thyroid dysfunction, hormonal changes (particularly post-partum and perimenopause), PCOS-related androgen excess, or chronic stress. I assess and address the specific driver rather than applying a generic hair supplement.
Nail health is an often-overlooked indicator of nutritional status. Brittle, ridged, or discoloured nails can reflect iron deficiency, zinc deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, or poor protein digestion.
How does the gut affect the skin?
The gut-skin axis is one of the most well-established connections in naturopathic medicine. Gut inflammation increases systemic inflammation, which manifests in the skin. The oestrobolome — gut bacteria involved in oestrogen metabolism — directly influences hormonal skin conditions. And nutrient absorption from a compromised gut affects the building blocks your skin needs to repair and regenerate. Read more about the gut-skin connection.
References: Abrahamsson, T.R., et al. (2012). Low diversity of the gut microbiota in infants with atopic eczema. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 129(2), 434–440.