Cannabis for Eczema?

There are some people who swear by using cannabis for eczema, CBD specifically, given its anti-inflammatory properties. I’ve used both topical and ingested THC and CBD (marijuana products) for my eczema.

Topicals

I went to a medical dispensary when living in Massachusetts to get both THC/CBD drops and a salve. The drops were great. They were just a distillate oil that I’d rub directly on my skin. I unfortunately found the salve to be uncomfortable – it caused itching at the time.

I later picked it back up a year or so later when my skin was a bit happier though and found it soothing. So, probably worth a shot, or at least it’s a good thing to add to your “toolkit.” I also think, as with all salves, ingredients really matter. This one had lavender in it and I think for whatever reason my skin found that irritating. It smelled super nice, though.

I also found a really nice matcha and CBD oil at a local farmer’s market here on the West Coast that was quite soothing, too. It seems none of these sorts of things are distributed nationally or internationally, but you could try “interviewing” one of the herbalists who is undoubtedly at your local farmer’s market to see if it seems they really know their stuff. If they do, consider trying their salves!

As mentioned in my lotions for eczema article, salves are unlikely to burn, at least not as much as many of the lotions you can get at CVS/Walgreens/Target, as these often contain alcohols.

Ingested Cannabis for Eczema (Gummies)

I’ve also tried both CBD gummies and CBD/THC gummies to help me sleep while battling really severe eczema.

Sleep and eczema absolutely do not mix. I find I often itch most right after I change from my clothes into pajamas and also right after I get into bed, when I can feel the sensation of even the softest sheets all over my body.

Anything touching my body when I’m itching is bad news. There are times when I’m so itchy and uncomfortable in bed I can’t even focus on reading. I have to just lie there in agony until my body finally puts me to sleep and I get some respite. It’s horrible.

So was this successful?

I’m in my early 30s now, and I would say my marijuana consumption for eczema has greatly increased as I’ve approached 30+. I wasn’t much of a marijuana person at all in college or in my early 20s, so I really only “got into” trying marijuana products because of eczema. First, I tried CBD gummies, only at night, and found they did next to nothing for me.

I decided to kick it up a notch and try a medical THC-infused gummy. Oh my goodness it worked wonders. I would take the gummy (about 5g worked for me given my weight and tolerance – talk to a certified professional if you’re new to this), and about 30 minutes later I would fall fast asleep. If I timed this well with wrapping up my day, I completely skipped my agonizing itching-while-in-bed phase (note: my acupressure mat works nearly as well as gummies, and if I combine the two, holy cow – lights out).

Note: numerous studies show marijuana products are harmful for young people, especially teenagers. Talk to a medical provider before following anything mentioned on this blog. I am not a medical provider. This is not medical advice.