Within our society thousands of adults and children suffer from eczema. The most common form of eczema is atopic eczema, which is triggered by allergies.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is the result of an over active immune system. When the immune system identifies a normally harmless substance as a threat to the body it tries to protect the body from it. In so doing the body reacts in a negative way thus resulting in what we know as an allergic reaction.

The substance the immune system is reacting to is known as an allergen and can be anything that you come in contact with. The confusing part is that something that has previously not caused you a problem may become an allergen with continued exposure.

Common allergens

Although anything can cause an allergic reaction the most common allergens for eczema sufferers are pet dander, dust mites, pollen, mold spores, chemicals and some food and medicines.

An allergic reaction will present itself differently in different people depending on the condition from which they suffer. People with asthma will experience respiratory problems when exposed to an allergen whilst people with eczema experience skin irritations when exposed to allergens.

For eczema suffers the skin typically becomes inflamed, red and itchy when exposed to an allergen.

How to control the allergic reaction

Obviously the best thing to do to avoid the allergic reaction is to avoid exposure to the allergen. This is not as easy as it sounds. Often eczema sufferers do not know what allergen or allergens trigger their eczema. Avoidance is therefore impossible.

It is however ideal if the allergen can be determined and removed from the environment. This is invariably a long and drawn out process. To determine allergens are triggering eczema a diary can be kept.

Record everything

Making a note of everything you consume is a useful way of detecting whether there is a significant pattern of reaction to a particular food or foods. Also include any medications taken and creams / oils that are applied. Other significant environmental changes may also be noted (ie weather changes, lawn mowed, new washing detergent used).

By regularly looking over the diary significant patterns may be determined and an allergen may be detected. Removal of the allergen should show an improvement in the condition of the skin.

The word eczema comes from the Greek language, and it means to ”BOIL OVER”.  It is a description that sums up only too vividly the classic eczema symptoms that are associated with the disease.

Eczema symptoms may begin in infancy and occur on and off through out one’s lifetime.  The classic eczema symptoms are itchiness, redness, dryness and scaling of the skin.  However, there are also many other eczema symptoms that are not obviously related to the skin.  Symptoms such as thirst caused by loss of fluid from the skins tissues, over sensitivity to cold and heat, and the prevalence of other allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever, are all types of eczema symptoms that many people experience.

Following is a brief list of the most common eczema symptoms you may experience.

• Skin inflammation – swelling of the skins surface and the underlying tissues of the skin.
• Redness – caused by widening of the blood vessels in the skin and associated increase in blood flow to the affected area.
• Itching – can vary in intensity and leads to scratching – inflammation and worst case – infection.
• Dry, scaly skin – depends on the individuals skin type, but dry skin can often predispose a person to the development of eczema.
• Pale skin and loss of pigmentation – due to reduced blood flow caused by eczema’s disruptive effect on the skin’s circulation.
• Thick leathery skin – overtime the skin can become thicker due to the constant scratching.  The skin tries to protect itself from this by producing more keratin ( the tough protective protein found in skin cells).

Eczema symptoms can be wide ranging, but you don’t have to let the condition rule your life – you just have to learn how to manage it..  It may seem like a nuisance to always have to think about your skin, but by adopting a good skin care routine into your daily life, it will eventually become no more of a burden than cleaning your teeth or brushing your hair.

One of the most important factors in identifying potential food triggers is your own observation.  Keeping a food diary in which you note down everything you consume is a useful way of detecting whether there is any significant pattern of reaction to a particular food or foods.

Following are a few useful tips for keeping a food diary and an example of how to set one out.

1. The diary should be designed to make it easy for you to fill in and refer to
2. Get a new exercise book or blank diary and make this your food diary.  Label it clearly and make sure it is a good size so that you can carry it with you when you are out and about for the day
3. If the diary is for a child, then make sure that the child’s day care teacher, nanny or babysitter also has a copy or knows how to fill it out
4. Include any medication that is taken and creams / oils that are applied
5. Review the diary on a regular basis.  Look back each day and add any additional information that may help
6. Have a food index page at the back of the diary to note down the ingredients that are in a favorite dish or food that you eat regularly.  This will prevent the need to list down the ingredients each time the food is consumed
7. Take the diary with you all the time and especially when you go to your GP or naturopath.  They will find it a very useful tool and will be able to help you identify trigger

For many years there has been considerable controversy about the relationship between food and eczema.  Some believe that eating certain foods will lead to an outbreak of eczema, whilst avoiding these foods will lead to an improvement in their skin condition.

Until recently most orthodox doctors dismissed the idea that food had a significant role to play in eczema.  Except of course amongst the small group of infants allergic to cows milk.

Over time these views have changed.  Due to continuous research into this area, a great deal more has come to be understood about ways in which food can spark off adverse reactions.  Ten to fifteen percent of people suffer from some sort of food sensitivity and it is now generally accepted that this sensitivity may play a part in some cases of eczema.  It is estimated that food sensitivity is a factor in one third of childhood eczema cases.

It must however be remembered that eczema is caused by a combination of different factors so there is no single treatment that works for everyone.  Except for the mildest of cases, it is unlikely that diet alone will have any effect on eczema.

Diet control can only help in the overall treatment of eczema.  It will need to be combined with a range of other treatments.  The use of emollients, avoiding environmental irritants and in some cases medical treatment all play a part in the overall control of eczema.  Remember the treatment of eczema, in all but the mildest of cases, is complex.

If you choose to use diet as a means of helping to control your eczema be wise about it.  Seek advice from a qualified person.  A dietitian, nutritionist or doctor are all able to assist you in maintaining a healthy balanced diet whilst eliminating the foods you are sensitive to.  It is especially important that babies and infants are never put on a severely restricted diet with out professional medical advice and guidance.

A healthy balanced diet

Whether suffering from food sensitivities or not, one of the best things you can do for your body and your eczema is to have a healthy balanced diet.  A nutritious diet will help to improve the health of the immune system and boost your energy levels.  A diet that is rich in wholesome food will also provide you with the energy you need to cope with the stress of your condition as well as being able to manage the physical care of the skin.

The main dietary aim in the past has simply been to omit foods to which one is sensitive.  Recently however, research has revealed that certain nutrients can actually help to fight disease.  These compounds are known as phyto-chemicals and there are literally hundreds of them found in the foods we commonly eat.  As research continues it is expected that more of these compounds will be discovered.

The most exciting aspect of this discovery is that it has taken the focus off what we should avoid eating and placed it onto what we should be eating.

So what should you eat?

Whether you have eczema or not, a shortage of particular vitamins, minerals and trace elements can show up in the skin.  As we know the skin is our body’s largest organ so it is of significant importance that we look after it and keep it healthy.

If you have mild eczema, a healthy nutritious diet combined with a good emollient regime may be sufficient to control the condition.  Special dietary measures may not be needed.  More severe eczema, whilst benefiting from a nutritious diet, may still require medical treatment.

Maintain a balance

Rather than focusing on specific foods, it is recommended that a balanced diet containing a mix of all the food groups be eaten.

Unrefined carbohydrates should make up the largest portion of your diet.  They are needed to sustain energy, which is particularly important for anyone living with a chronic condition like eczema.  These foods include starchy foods such as wholemeal bread, pasta, brown rice, couscous, potatoes, yams and bananas.

Fruit and Vegetables should make up the next largest portion of your diet.  A mixture of the different types of fruit and vegetables will provide you with the nutrients and vitamins needed to maintain healthy skin, repair damaged skin and block any allergic response.

A portion of Protein foods are required on a daily basis to repair and maintain your body’s tissues and to help strengthen your immune system.  Protein is found in both red and white meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts and seeds.

Fats and Oils should make up the smallest portion of your diet. The fats that are of particular importance to the body are the two essential fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6.  They are found in nuts, seeds and oily fish.  A shortage of these fatty acids will lead to dry skin and increased inflammation, which is the last thing you want if you have eczema.

Whilst increasing these ‘good’ fats in your diet it is important to cut down on the ‘bad’ fats which have little dietary benefit.  The ‘bad’ fats or animal fats, are found in foods like pastries, biscuits, cakes and fried foods.

Children love to play. It’s what they do best. Playing helps a child to grow, develop and learn.

When you have an unwell child it is all to easy to wrap them up in cotton wool and stop them from doing what is only natural for any child – playing.

Eczema is not contagious

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition commonly affecting small children. It is characterised by a red rash, dry skin and severe itching. It is not contagious so there is no need to stop a child with eczema from playing with other children.

The secret is to get the right balance – protect your child so they can play happily without worsening their eczema. You just need to know how.

Children love to play outside

Most children just love to play outside. There is so much to explore outdoors it seems a shame to deny any child. Ensure your child is well protected from sunburn. Use a good quality sunscreen or better still keep their skin covered. Sunburn causes stress on the skin, which frequently causes an eczema flare-up.

Sandpits are not an ideal play environment for children with eczema. The sand in these confined areas frequently contains bacteria and is more prone to causing eczema flare-ups. The sand at the beach is a much safer option. If your child swims in the salt water whilst at the beach remember to wash the salt off and remoisturize as soon as possible.

Water dries the skin

Remember that water dries the skin and whilst swimming and playing in water is a popular playtime activity a little care is needed to prevent eczema from worsening. Applying oil to your child’s skin before they swim will create a protective barrier from the drying effects of the water. Showering to wash off the chlorine or salt and applying a moisturizer immediately after will also ensure the skin moisture is not jeopardized.

Water play without swimming is also a popular pastime. Filling a container with water and letting children play with sieves and containers in the water can provide endless hours of fun. Simply adding a few drops of oil to the water will prevent your child’s hands from drying out whilst playing with the water.

Activity and rest

Outdoor activities and exploring are fun. Children seem to have a never-ending supply of energy. Whilst the activity is good for a child, even a child with eczema, it is important to ensure your child doesn’t become over tired. Encourage regular rests. Alternating between active outdoor activity and quiet time (ie watching a movie, coloring or snacking) is ideal.

There are of course times when it is best to restrict play to inside areas. In warmer climates during the hottest part of the day it is safest for any child, not just a child with eczema to avoid being outside.

Windy days or when grass is freshly mown are also days to keep eczema children indoors as these conditions often lead to an eczema flare up as the pollens are prone to trigger eczema.

When selecting toys for your child to play with it is best to choose toys with no sharp edges that could cut or scratch sensitive skin. Toys that can be washed easily and are made out of fabrics that are low irritant are also ideal.

If your child has a dust mite allergy putting soft toys in the freezer overnight will kill the dust mites. Simply wash them in the morning to remove the dead mites.

Busy hands scratch less

Keeping your child active and their mind busy will help to distract them from the itch. Busy hands are less likely to scratch. And a busy mind is less likely to think of scratching. Thereby reducing the risk of damage to the skin.

Children need to play

Children need to play. As a parent we need to make play as safe as possible and just let our children do what they do best – play.