Nummular dermatitis, also known as discoid eczema, can occur in anyone, anytime. There is no definitive link between nutrition and the condition, although some cases may be exacerbated by food sensitivities or allergies. Treatment generally includes antihistamines, antibiotics and topical emollients and steroid creams, but being mindful of your diet may help you avoid another outbreak, if not help treat the current one.
Sensitivities/Allergies
Food sensitivities and allergies can cause rashes, and if you have nummular dermatitis, a reaction to a certain food may worsen symptoms. Different foods can cause reactions in certain people, including dairy, eggs, nuts, wheat, shellfish, chocolate and certain fruits. Some people's reaction is limited to food additives, such as food coloring and MSG, and can be as specific as sensitivity to only one or two particular food colorants rather than the whole spectrum. The only way to find out if a food is worsening your symptoms is to try an elimination diet.
Elimination Diets
An elimination diet allows you to experiment a bit to determine which food may cause a reaction in your body. Eliminate the potential triggers from your diet one by one, for six weeks at a time. If your symptoms clear up, then return when the food returns to your diet, that food is likely affecting your dermatitis. It is important to eliminate only one food at a time to find your specific allergic triggers, and you must be vigilant -- for example, if you are eliminating peanuts, read all ingredient labels to be sure the food product has not been processed around peanuts, or it could potentially pick up enough contamination to affect your results.
Arachidonic Acid
Chiropractor James Meschino, director of nutritional therapies at the Canadian Integrative Cancer Immunotherapies Clinic, recommends avoiding foods that cause arachidonic acid to accumulate in your cells. Arachidonic acid is a precursor to inflammatory prostaglandin hormones that may worsen your symptoms, so reducing foods that encourage it to synthesize may help alleviate the condition. Fatty meats and whole-fat dairy, alcohol, hydrogenated fats and oils from corn, sunflower seeds and safflower seeds should be eliminated. Instead, incorporate poultry, fish low-fat dairy and canola and olive oil into your diet.
Supplements
Certain supplements may help reduce your symptoms, although they should not replace medical treatment. Meschino advises that Omega-3 fats and gamma-linoleic acid may help block the production of inflammatory hormones, and B vitamins may help accelerate the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, though more research is needed in this area. Antioxidants may help make the B-vitamins more effective, and herbs such as milk thistle may help rid your body of allergens and other triggers from the blood more efficiently, though there are no conclusive studies in this area. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.
