Connection Between Eczema and Food Allergies

Studies of the connection Between Eczema and Food Allergies in 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.

If you think that you have a food allergy but aren’t certain then you might want to get allergy testing done as soon as possible.

Common Eczema and Food Allergies

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 which is why it is so important to look at food sensitivity testing done as soon as possible, as this will help you to get rid of eczema. However, 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 eczema and therefore removal of the food(s) will not result in an eczema cure but will prevent an immediate reaction and flare-ups. Managing eczema can be a challenge.

Shampoo and body wash

However, there are options. It can be difficult finding shampoo and body wash that won’t flare up your eczema due to the chemicals and alcohol some contain, but luckily this source reference has tips on how to manage your skin condition and has options on gentle shampoos and body wash on the skin.

Many people report hemp oil helps to clear up their eczema, and cannabis oil also has a history of helping skin problems. To learn more about hemp oil vs cannabis oil and how it can help eczema, you can visit Myriam’s, Hope Hemp.

Hormones and stress

Research suggests hormones and stress can impact eczema, and likewise, foods that affect hormones and stress can be problematic. Don’t try to solve your eczema issues alone; make sure you involve your doctor to ensure you find relief as soon as possible.