Chronic itching may be directly connected to what you're eating. One of the most common symptoms of a food allergy is skin irritation, inflammation and itching. Depending on where the itching forms and your medical history, your doctor will be able to diagnose your condition and prescribe an effective treatment. You may be required to get skin allergy tests to diagnose your condition. You should never alter your diet to treat a condition without first talking with your health-care provider.
Foods and Itching
Foods contain proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in your body. The skin is the body's largest organ that is commonly affected by a food allergic reaction. Foods that commonly trigger an allergic reaction may include soy, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts and milk. After consuming a specific food, you may notice that you develop a rash on your face, neck or limbs. Another itchy skin condition related to food is pollen-food allergy syndrome. This condition is itching that occurs primarily in your mouth after eating raw nuts, fruits or vegetables.
Types of Allergic Skin Conditions
The three most common allergic skin conditions related to food are hives, contact dermatitis and eczema, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Hives appear on the face in the form of red, raised patches of skin that itch and can form in different shapes and sizes. Contact dermatitis causes skin inflammation after you touch a food directly with your skin. This skin irritation forms without consuming the food and is common with organs, tomatoes and kiwi. Eczema is a rash that can be triggered by a food allergy. It develops as tiny blisters that can ooze and crust over.
Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome
Pollen-food allergy syndrome can cause your mouth, lips and throat to become itchy after you eat certain raw nuts, vegetables and fruits. This condition is related to a pollen allergy. Your immune system confuses the proteins in the raw food as a type of pollen and reacts to them. For example, if you're allergic to ragweed pollen, your mouth may become itchy after eating tomatoes, melons or bananas. This causes a localized allergic reaction with minor itching. In rare cases, this reaction can lead to a severe allergic reaction.
Treatment
The most effective treatment for itchy skin related to your diet is to identify which foods are triggering your symptoms and avoid eating those foods. If you accidentally eat an allergic food, you can wash the skin with soap and water and apply hydrocortisone to reduce the itching and inflammation. Taking an oral antihistamine may help to reduce your skin itch.
