Eczema, a skin condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the skin, afflicts infants, children and adults. Symptoms vary from person to person but can include itchy, dry, red skin and small, fluid filled bumps on the forehead, cheeks or scalp. In more severe cases, open lesions can occur in affected areas and rashes can spread to the arms, legs and trunk. The most common cause of eczema, atopic dermatitis, occurs when a person is highly sensitive or intolerant to certain foods or other environmental allergens like molds, dust, pollens and animal dander. Contact dermatitis occurs when chemicals or substances come into contact with the skin. Dietary interventions for eczema generally focus on identifying and eliminating food allergens.
Dairy Free Diet
Dairy products and eggs are among the most common food irritants that trigger eczema, according to Healthy Skin Guide. Milk is an important nutrient and should not automatically be eliminated from an eczema afflicted child's diet unless the child has proven allergies to dairy and the eczema symptoms are severe enough to cause significant disruption to the child's quality of life. Science Daily reports that most children with mild eczema outgrow it by adolescence.
Gluten-Free Diet
Gluten, the protein in wheat and in many wheat products, is another common trigger of eczema, according to Phylis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." The gluten sensitivity that triggers eczema can be distinguished from celiac disease, a more serious autoimmune disorder in which consumption of gluten causes the immune system to damage the lining of the small intestine. Allergy testing can determine if gluten may contribute to eczema. If allergy tests are positive, then a gluten-free diet may reduce or eliminate the eczema symptoms. A gluten-free diet excludes all foods that contain wheat, rye and barley, meaning that your child will be unable to eat most grains, pasta, cereal and many processed foods. Gluten-free pasta, breads and other products are available from many specialty and health food stores.
Feingold Diet
In his efforts to treat hyperactivity, Dr. Benjamin F. Feingold developed a dietary program that eliminates several petroleum-based preservatives, aspartame, salicylates, artificial colors and artificial flavors from the diet. According to Feingold Program, varied researchers have concluded that the Feingold diet is effective in the treatment of ADHD, and other physical, behavioral and neurological conditions, including eczema. On the other hand, many practitioners and medical experts, including Dr. Stephen Barrett at Quack Watch, argue that the Feingold diet has dubious positive effects and is prohibitive in nature, causing families to drastically alter their lifestyles and eating patterns. Parents who are in a quandary may prefer to experiment with the elimination diet first.
Elimination and Challenge Diet
While there may be cynics, many experts, parents and researchers believe that foods and food additives may increase the occurrence and severity of eczema symptoms. Consult with your pediatrician or an allergist and use an elimination diet to ascertain if food sensitivities contribute to your child's eczema. Eliminate potential allergens from your child's diet for six weeks. Note if eczema symptoms improve or disappear. Then, one by one, reintroduce the foods into your child's diet. If eczema symptoms reappear or worsen, eliminate that food from your child's diet.
References
- Feingold: Selection of Studies Supporting Diet Therapy
- Healthy Skin Guide: Foods Causing Eczema
- Kid's Health: Eczema
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing;" Phylis Balch; 2006
