As long ago as the 1960s, researchers found links between eczema and diet. That was forty years ago when one in 10 children suffered from eczema. Today the statistics are closer to one in five.
At least a portion of that population has eczema caused by food allergies and standard treatments may only mask the problem or they may not help at all. For children suffering from food allergies, eczema must be treated from the inside-out.
Finding the Triggers
For many families, avoiding specific foods can help clear up their child's eczema. Allergy testing is an option, but many families can get the same information through a less-invasive elimination diet. By cutting out all of the most common allergenic foods, such as dairy, soy, wheat, nuts, eggs, citrus fruits, shellfish and corn, and then slowly adding them back in one at a time, families can determine which foods are eczema triggers.
Many families with small children prefer to try a partial elimination diet first, completely avoiding one suspected food for a week and then adding it back and watching for reactions.
With any elimination diet, it is important to work with a health care provider and to keep a food diary to track results.
Making Dietary Changes
If a food or several foods are found to worsen eczema symptoms, the key then is to avoid those triggers. This may mean making changes in your household and at school. A family’s whole diet may need to be revamped because processed foods such cookies and chips often contain preservatives and dyes which not only are sometimes triggers themselves, they also can weaken the immune system.
Immunity and Overall Health
Because overall immunity as well as stress each play a role in eczema flare-ups, it is important for the child to get adequate rest, exercise and to eat a healthy diet.
Many supplements have been found to help eczema sufferers, including probiotics and omega fatty acids such as cod liver oil, flax seed oil or omega-6-rich evening primrose oil. Some providers may suggest grapeseed extract, Oregon grape root or chamomile. As with all supplements, check with your health care provider for safety and to avoid interactions.
Additionally, avoiding foods such as white flour, refined sugar and artificial sweeteners, can help build immunity, while adding extra water can help keep the skin hydrated.
Developing a Healthy Eating Plan
If through an elimination diet parents find that they must eliminate a major food group such as dairy, it is important to work with a health care professional to determine a complete healthy eating plan that meets the child’s needs without triggering flare-ups. Studies have shown that children with eczema are often deficient in magnesium, zinc or Vitamin B6. Some providers may recommend a multi-vitamin or other supplements for dietary support.
Finding the cause of your child’s eczema can take time and a lot of effort. But for those with food allergies, ending discomfort could start with changing the next meal.
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