But traditional therapies might not be the only way to manage eczema flares: Diet may also help.
Can a Special Diet or Eating Style Help Get Rid of Eczema?
(6)
Food allergies are the result of an abnormal immune system response.
(8) Scientists dont know why.
The skin was also more prone to water loss and had a greater presence ofstaph bacteria.
Researchers also found evidence that the skin barriers were immature.
In addition to eczema flares, food allergies may cause gastrointestinal issues and shortness of breath.
If your child experiences such reactions after eating food, he or she should be tested for food allergies.
A blood test can check for antibodies that may indicate an allergic reaction to a specific food.
An allergist may also use a skin test to diagnose a food allergy.
(4) Tree nuts, fish, and shellfish also commonly cause allergic reactions.
(10) This doesnt mean you should ban these foods from a young childs diet, though.
(11) To be safe, ask your doctor about allergy testing prior to the exposure.
Consider introducing new foods a few days apart from each other.
This way, if a reaction occurs, itll be easier to identify the problem food.
Can Elimination Diets Help Treat Eczema?
Youll avoid a particular food or ingredient for a few weeks and then monitor your skin for any changes.
(12)
If symptoms improve, slowly reintroduce the food into your diet over a few days.
If symptoms return, youve likely found a trigger.
An elimination diet isnt only effective for eczema.
Research suggests that people with specific food allergies may find some eczema relief by avoiding those foods.
In 2008, researchers questioned if elimination diets had any effect on eczema symptoms.
The nickel then absorbs into skin, causing a rash.
Vegetables with especially high nickel content include beans, lentils, peas, and soybeans.
(15)
Research suggests that a low-nickel diet may improve dermatological symptoms in people with nickel-related contact eczema.
Having another throw in of eczema or a family history of foot-and-hand eczema also puts you at risk.
(18)
As eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, following an anti-inflammatory diet may help relieve symptoms.
Large quantities of foods rich in omega-6 fatty acids, including vegetable oils, may also promote inflammation.
EPA and DHA are in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and tuna.
Meanwhile, ALA is in flaxseed, canola oil, and soybeans.
Other sources of omega-3s include walnuts and green leafy vegetables, like kale, mustard greens, and spinach.
(21)
Monounsaturated fats, includingolive oiland canola oil, may also be anti-inflammatory.
(24) Refined carbohydrates have had most of their nutritional value removed.
These include white rice, white bread, and white pasta.
Also, be on the lookout for hidden sugar.
These can be found in cereals, ketchup and other condiments, sauces, granola bars, and yogurt.
Be sure to discuss with your doctor any supplements, vitamins, or home remedies before you try them.
So if you havent already, talk to your dermatologist about an elimination diet.
And if you suspect a food allergy, talk to your doctor about allergy testing.
Mohiba Tareen, MD, is a nationally acclaimed board-certified dermatologist.
She practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology at her Minnesota medical practice, Tareen Dermatology.
Cosmetically, Tareen believes in subtle and natural aesthetic enhancements.
Joseph Bennington-Castro is a science writer based in Hawaii.
