Eczema, asthma and hayfever are atopic conditions related to allergy. They also have a familial tendency. The allergy may be caused by anything and is often difficult to pinpoint. Environmental and emotional factors frequently play a part. However the development of eczema symptoms may in some cases be due to food allergy.
If there is a family history of atopic conditions the chances of a baby developing eczema is significantly increased. In an effort to avoid your baby developing eczema due to food allergies it is advisable to avoid giving certain foods to him in his first 6 – 12 months. The foods most commonly associated with food allergy include eggs, cows milk, wheat, fish, chocolate, peanuts, yeast and oranges.
Introduce foods one at a time and slowly
Once your baby is old enough it is a good idea to introduce foods one at a time and very slowly. This is advisable not only with these particular foods but with any new foods because although these are the most common foods causing allergy they are not the only ones.
A person can be allergic to anything
A person can be allergic to anything. But identifying a problem food is made much easier if it is introduced to a diet slowly and on its own away from the introduction of other foods or other changes in the environment. It is also a good idea to keep a diary of foods introduced and the condition of the eczema.
Eliminating certain foods from the diet often leads to the elimination of the eczema symptoms. However when altering a baby’s diet it is important to seek professional advice from a dietician or nutritionist to ensure the baby continues to receive adequate nutrients.