Eczema is a chronic skin condition in which the skin is hypersensitive, much like an allergy. Eczema commonly causes blisters in the skin that can weep and crust over, leaving the skin susceptible to secondary infections. The most common triggers for eczema are allergies, dry skin and environmental factors. A food intolerance can trigger eczema but will not cause eczema in a person without a prior history of eczema.
Eczema Flare-Ups
A patient with eczema is predisposed to flare-ups whenever anything places strain on the skin. Because the skin is hypersensitive, a food intolerance can cause the skin to become unstable and break out with the rash. A change in diet can help reduce the number of eczema flare-ups a person may experience from a food allergy. Avoiding the foods that the body cannot effectively process is one of the primary ways to treat the condition.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is an inability in the body to produce the proper enzymes to break down the sugars and proteins in certain foods. Food intolerance takes place exclusively in the digestive system and does not involve the immune system. Some food intolerances are caused by additives or preservatives used in certain foods and not by the food itself.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of a food intolerance are bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. A food intolerance will not cause asthmatic reactions, a scratchy throat or swollen lips; these are symptoms of a food allergy. Common symptoms of eczema are blisters, itchy skin, skin coloring changes, skin inflammation, oozing and ear discharge, according to MedlinePlus.
Allergy Consideration
Another common cause of triggering eczema is a food allergy. A food allergy is a different condition than a food intolerance. In a food allergy, the body overreacts to the proteins found in food, causing histamine levels to increase throughout the body. Increased histamine causes inflammation in soft tissue, such as in the skin. Other common symptoms will accompany a food allergy, such as nasal congestion and asthma
Diagnosis
A rash from a food intolerance is not always eczema. Hives is another skin reaction to a food intolerance. Talk with a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
