§ Disclaimer: The information provided by eczemastreatment.com is not intended to treat or cure any disease or to offer any specific diagnosis to any individual. This site is not intended as a replacement for professional consolation with qualified practitioners. In no way imaginable should the information found on in this site be substituted for the services of a physician, a health provider, or any trained health professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from qualified health providers for specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment.

Eczema Triggers: Link Between Eczema and Food Allergies

By YUN NAKAMURA

Eczema is a debilitating skin condition characterized by the skin’s allergic reaction to chemicals and substances. Eczema is also non-communicable and it often runs in families having asthma or hay fever. There are eczema triggers that can aggravate an eczema attack but not directly cause it.

Eczema triggers can be in the form of chemicals like chlorine, viral and bacterial infections, exposure to irritating soaps and cleaning agents, sudden temperature changes, stress and the most common triggers, food allergies.

Food allergies are the most common eczema triggers and this is very common in children but can also occur in adults with eczema. There are several foods to be avoided especially when you have a history of food allergies or asthma. These foods can instantly cause or flare up an eczema attack as characterized by severe itching, hives and inflamed and reddened lesions. Here is a short list of foods that you have to be wary of when you have eczema:

• Cow’s milk and other dairy products can aggravate eczema symptoms. It is best to avoid drinking milk and eating milk products while having an eczema attack.

• Eggs are also eczema triggers that can flare up symptoms easily. Any egg recipe must be avoided for the meantime until the symptoms subside.

• Seafood is also a no-no during an eczema attack. It can increase flare-ups as fast as you can say dermatitis. It is best to avoid sea food altogether even without an attack.

• Nuts and wheat also cause eczema flare ups and must be avoided as well.

These are just the most common food stuffs that can be associated with increased eczema symptoms. It is therefore best to consult your dermatologist and also an allergy specialist regarding foods that you or your child may be allergic to. An allergy specialist can identify the offending food by doing a blood allergen specific IgE (RAST) Test.

Since eliminating some of these foods can cause a direct affect in nutrition like eliminating milk and milk products on a child’s diet, it is best to consult a nutritionist or an allergy specialist for the best alternative.

It is also important to note that not all types of eczema or dermatitis are caused by food allergies or an allergic reaction for that matter. In some cases frequent moisture or wetness of the affected part can cause eczema as seen in infants. Some types of eczema may be caused by poor blood circulation on a specific area like in patients with varicose veins which develops into stasis dermatitis. Treatment for these types of eczema also involves increasing skin moisture and treating itchy and inflamed skin.

Because of the advances in dermatology, there are many treatments for symptoms of eczema and who knows, a cure may be on its way. For now, children and adults with food allergies must be made aware of their food allergy triggers to effectively manage their eczema as well as preventing eczema flare ups as well.

Home » Food Allergies » Types of Eczema » Treatment Creams