Eczema and Dermatitis
Dermatitis usually refers to a skin condition brought on by a reaction to something outside of the body. Atopic eczema is regarded as a hereditary condition and is often associated with asthma, hay fever or urticaria. Like many skin problems the conventional treatment of eczema involves the use of creams applied locally, which deal with the symptoms from the outside.
However, a high percentage of those with atopic eczema often have more allergies, and they may also have some sort of fat metabolism disorder that makes their skin drier and less able to hold moisture. There could be an increased likelihood of an abnormally high amount of the bacteria ‘staphylococcus aureus’ in their skin. Furthermore, people with eczema may sometimes have abnormalities in their immune system, causing certain cells to release higher amounts of histamine and other allergic compounds, which in turn can cause inflammation and itching.
If you put all those factors together it gives us a greater understanding of how eczema symptoms and discomfort arises.
Food allergies
Many sufferers only turn to nutrition once emollients and steroid creams have become ineffective in alleviating their condition, but there is increasing evidence that even atopic eczema may be triggered or at least exacerbated by food-related reactions. The best way to diagnose a food allergy is to avoid common allergens such as milk/dairy produce, gluten, eggs, fish, food additives and peanuts for at least two weeks. These foods should then be reintroduced, one at a time, at 5 day intervals to check for any reaction. Allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts are thought to be one possible cause, especially of childhood eczema.
Gut Health
As with many health problems, it is important to maintain good gut health in controlling eczema. Not only does this minimise the effects of any food sensitivities, but it also reduces the potential burden on the immune system from any poorly digested food or ingested toxins. It is therefore advisable to avoid sugar and refined, processed or fried foods.
External factors
Most people will soon find which products aggravate their condition and so avoid them. Be mindful of cosmetics, fabrics, detergents and household cleaning products. Use rubber gloves when using cleaning products and avoid any that contain harsh chemicals.
Dermatitis usually refers to a skin condition brought on by a reaction to something outside of the body. Atopic eczema is regarded as a hereditary condition and is often associated with asthma, hay fever or urticaria. Like many skin problems the conventional treatment of eczema involves the use of creams applied locally, which deal with the symptoms from the outside.
However, a high percentage of those with atopic eczema often have more allergies, and they may also have some sort of fat metabolism disorder that makes their skin drier and less able to hold moisture. There could be an increased likelihood of an abnormally high amount of the bacteria ‘staphylococcus aureus’ in their skin. Furthermore, people with eczema may sometimes have abnormalities in their immune system, causing certain cells to release higher amounts of histamine and other allergic compounds, which in turn can cause inflammation and itching.
If you put all those factors together it gives us a greater understanding of how eczema symptoms and discomfort arises.
Food allergies
Many sufferers only turn to nutrition once emollients and steroid creams have become ineffective in alleviating their condition, but there is increasing evidence that even atopic eczema may be triggered or at least exacerbated by food-related reactions. The best way to diagnose a food allergy is to avoid common allergens such as milk/dairy produce, gluten, eggs, fish, food additives and peanuts for at least two weeks. These foods should then be reintroduced, one at a time, at 5 day intervals to check for any reaction. Allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts are thought to be one possible cause, especially of childhood eczema.
Gut Health
As with many health problems, it is important to maintain good gut health in controlling eczema. Not only does this minimise the effects of any food sensitivities, but it also reduces the potential burden on the immune system from any poorly digested food or ingested toxins. It is therefore advisable to avoid sugar and refined, processed or fried foods.
External factors
Most people will soon find which products aggravate their condition and so avoid them. Be mindful of cosmetics, fabrics, detergents and household cleaning products. Use rubber gloves when using cleaning products and avoid any that contain harsh chemicals.
- Pure cotton clothing is usually less irritating than synthetic fibres or wool.
- Use a mattress cover to minimise contact with dust mites.
- Avoid stress or learn to relieve it with exercise or yoga.
- Detect and eliminate any food allergens – most common are milk, eggs and protein.
- Have at least 3 servings of fish a week and take an omega 3 oil supplement daily (fish or linseed).
- Limit intake of meat and dairy products.
- Follow a clear skin diet see below
- Include at least 6 glasses of water daily
- Eat plenty of colourful fruit and vegetables, including red/orange/yellow vegetables and fruits, purple foods, green foods, onions and garlic, and ‘seed’ foods such as peas.
- Include fresh seeds daily – pumpkin, sunflower, ground hemp/ linseed
- Essential fats – eat oily fish 3 times weekly and include up to one tablespoon cold pressed oil daily (use extra virgin olive oil as a dressing or raw organic coconut oil for cooking
- Fibre rich foods – Eat plenty of wholegrains, root vegetables, lentils and beans (note that beans and lentils are also vegetable sources of protein)
- Eat organic wherever possible
- Try using dairy alternatives on occasion, although you can include live organic yoghurt – if you do not have any intolerance to dairy
- Avoid alcohol or limit your intake
- Limit tea and coffee to 2 cups daily
- Limit red meat to no more than twice weekly. Eat fish, organic chicken or game instead
- Limit foods made from wheat, oats, rye etc to one portion daily
- Sugar - Don’t add sugar to drinks or cereals and avoid all sugary foods
- Refined carbohydrates - Don’t eat white flour products such as bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries and pasta
- Chemicals – Don’t eat foods containing chemical additives. This includes most canned, preserved or processed foods
- Fried foods – Don’t have fried foods. Boil, steam, bake or lightly grill instead
- Fatty foods – Don’t include butter, cream or ice cream
- Processed fats - Don’t have processed foods as most of them contain trans-fats
- Smoking – Don’t smoke at all