The Connection Between Eczema and Food Allegies
Studies of children and young people with atopic eczema found that one-third to nearly two-thirds also had a food allergy. In most cases, eczema symptoms worsened within 2-24 hours of eating a trigger food, and some patients experienced gastrointestinal upset as well.
Some common food allergies that may trigger eczema are
Dairy products
Eggs
Nuts and seeds
Soy products
Wheat
Food allergies can vary from person to person, however, so understanding which foods make your eczema worse can be a personal journey. People who wish to identify eczema trigger foods in their diet should consider the following options
Elimination diets: cutting a suspected food trigger out for 10 to 14 days. Watch to see if it makes a difference
Food challenges: After you’ve taken food out of your diet, add a small amount back in to see if it causes symptoms
Skin testing: Performed in a doctor’s office, this test uses food extracts to test for sensitivity. If the area tested swells up, it’s a sign of an allergic reaction. This test can be unreliable, however, especially in people with sensitive skin
Blood tests: RAST — radioallergosorbent test — can check for special cells in the blood that are signs of specific food allergies
This does not mean that the food allergy is the cause of the eczema and therefore removal of the food(s) will not result in eczema cure, but will prevent an immediate reaction and flare ups. Managing eczema can be a challenge. Research suggests hormones and stress can impact eczema, and likewise, foods that affect hormones and stress can be problematic. Don’t try to solve you eczema issues alone; make sure you involve your doctor to ensure you find relief as soon as possible
