Which Foods Cause Eczema?

This itchy and unpleasant skin condition can be caused by allergic reactions to eggs, fish, peanuts, and soy. However, these are not the only factors that may influence whether someone has eczema or not. A family history of allergies may predispose sufferers. An estimated 30% of the population can be affected by this medical condition.

Since eczema is thought to be hereditary, learning what may trigger an allergic reaction will help make the flare-ups less frequent. Unfortunately, there is no one food trigger, and no one food will cause eczema. Food may not even be a trigger for some people. The foods that may commonly cause an eczema flare-up are the same foods that trigger many allergic reactions:

• Diary and milk proteins
• Wheat or Gluten products
• Certain fruits
• Nuts
• Eggs
• Seafood
• Soy
• Processed food additives such as preservatives and colorings

Causes of Eczema

Eczema is an allergic reaction that manifests as skin irritants. The allergens can be food related, but they can also be related to stress, depression, anxiety, or some other environmental factor. Unfortunately, doctors and scientists do not know the exact cause of eczema; therefore, treatments mostly deal with the symptoms and not the underlying causes. Avoiding allergens and triggers may be possible once an individual assesses his or her tolerance level.

Typical Causes

• Rough fabric can cause a flare-up
• Being too hot or too cold
• Certain soaps or detergents
• Allergens such as animal dander, pollen, mold, dust, and others
• Catching a cold
• Certain foods

Symptoms of Eczema

• Rash in children will be seen on the cheeks, elbows, or knees
• Rash in adults will be seen on the inside of the elbows and knees
• Rash may also be found on the feet or other areas of the body
• Red skin
• Blisters around red skin that might ooze and crust over
• Itching and red or raw skin from scratching
• Leathery skin from dryness
• Discharge or bleeding from the ears

Treatments

Doctors prescribe treatments to help lessen the symptoms since avoiding all allergens and triggers may be impossible. Besides medicine, lifestyle changes may be recommended depending upon the symptoms and severity. All treatments must be made on an individual basis by a doctor.

• Cold compresses
• Lotions applied while the skin is wet
• Hydrocortisone - an over the counter medication
• Prescription Corticosteroids as creams, ointments, or pills
• Antibiotics if the itchy area becomes infected from scratching
• Antihistamines to prevent itching
• Elidel and Protopic (topical immunomodulators) can be prescribed however they have been linked to a high cancer risk and are therefore prescribed carefully, for short durations, and only when nothing else has worked

How to Determine a Food Allergy

A doctor can help an eczema sufferer determine the offending foods by prescribing an elimination diet along with writing in a food journal. The elimination diet removes the food that might trigger a reaction and then slowly introduces it back. The food diary should be maintained daily to write down any reactions to the eliminated and reintroduced food. Foods that cause reactions may not be safe to eat.

Many people have eczema and may not fully understand why or the causes. In this case, eczema sufferers should learn which foods cause eczema, assuming that food may be the culprit. Because the body’s immune system isn’t working properly, there may be more than one or a combination of culprits that cause flare-ups.

The good news for children that have eczema is that it should clear up as they get older, typically by age 2 or 3. Unfortunately, adults who have eczema will continue to have the condition and must try to avoid any conditions that make it break out or get worse and then treat the eczema when it does occur.