Treatments for Eczema, Beyond the Diet

Eczema is an itchy, scaly rash often caused by sensitivity to foods, certain chemicals, or environmental conditions such as dryness. The rash is not always a true allergic reaction, but an immune system reaction to a normally harmless substance. Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few minutes to several hours after exposure to the offending food or substance. Eczema runs in families, often along with a tendency to develop asthma, hay fever, or hives.

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis; the term “atopic” refers to a personal and family tendency to develop eczema, asthma, or hay fever. Other types include contact dermatitis, which occurs after a substance damages the skin, and seborrheic eczema, which is better known as dandruff, or greasy, scaly patches on the skin or scalp.

Nutrition Connection
While some foods may help alleviate eczema, some foods may trigger it. 
Note these guidelines:
-Test for allergies. Common culprits include eggs, dairy products, seafood, walnuts, and pecans. Cow’s milk can cause eczema in babies and small children; goat’s milk or soy milk may be better tolerated. Many children outgrow their sensitivities by the age of six, but others have lifelong recurrences.
-Consume more antioxidants. Dryness may cause eczema by triggering the formation of free radicals and therefore may be countered by antioxidants such as beta-carotene. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables including apricots, squash, mangoes, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are good choices.
-Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids. Foods like vegetable oils, fatty fish, and flaxseed may decrease swelling by helping to generate hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation.

QUICK TIP:
-Drink oolong tea
-Three cups of oolong tea may help relieve the symptoms of eczema. The polyphenols in the tea suppress allergic responses.
-Get lots of vitamin B6. Some researchers believe a diet rich in vitamin B6 protects against sensitivity rashes. Good sources include oily fish, meats, legumes, bananas, brown rice, wheat germ, and leafy green vegetables.

Beyond the Diet
There are many potential causes of eczema that don’t pertain to food. Here are some general recommendations to avoid flare-ups:
-Avoid known triggers. If your rash becomes worse in either hot or very cold weather, avoid extremes of temperature. Buy soaps, detergents, and toilet papers that are free of dyes and perfumes.
-Evaluate external causes. Common offenders include nickel, which is often used for making costume jewelry; latex, which is used in household and industrial rubber gloves; woolen clothing; skin care products based on lanolin, the natural oil that is found in wool; and acrylic adhesives, used in applying acrylic nails or in sneakers.