Question

Arrange the following topics in descending order that is, from good, better, best, with best being no.1 and state why the first choice is most important in the fight against eczema.(500 words)

• Food elimination diet and food allergy in patients with Atopic dermatitis
• The connection between diet and an eczema elimination and anti-inflammatory diet
• Eczema elimination diet and the prescribed foods to eat

Answer 1

Food allergies are more likely to cause eczema flares in infants and people with severe eczema. 4 Symptoms can develop soon after eating an offending food or up to several days later, and may include: Itching that tends to get worse at night. Increased dryness, redness, and swelling.

1. Many people try to relieve their eczema symptoms by avoiding certain foods. This is referred to as an "elimination" or "exclusion" diet. Foods often associated with eczema include eggs, milk, fish and peanuts. Sugar and foods containing gluten, on the other hand, don't play any role in the development of eczema.

2. While there is no cure for eczema currently, there are many over-the-counter medications as well as various creams to help reduce the inflammation caused by eczema. Some patients have even reported a reduction in their eczema symptoms by including certain foods into their diet.

• Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring. These foods can help alleviate the dry skin that comes with an eczema flare-up.

• Foods that contain a high level of probiotics: Yogurt with live and active cultures, miso soup, and tempeh. Other fermented foods and drinks, such as kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut, may also contain probiotics. If you are not a fan of any of these foods, you may consider taking an over-the-counter probiotic supplement! Some eczema suffers have found that adding probiotics to their diet provides some relief and reduction in the number of flares.

• Vegetables and fruits that are high in inflammation-fighting flavonoids: Apples, broccoli, cherries, blueberries, spinach, and kale. Flavonoids have been found to help improve the overall health of a person’s skin and fight problems such as inflammation (which is associated with eczema).

• Vegetables and fruits that are high in Vitamin C: Bell peppers, oranges, strawberries, cauliflower, pineapple, and mangoes. Vitamin C is antioxidant which helps protect your body from allergic responses.

• Potassium high foods: Bananas, avocados, acorn squash, sweet potatoes, white beans, and salmon. Potassium is another inflammation-fighting food that can help reduce eczema symptoms.

• Foods that have high skin protecting and building values: Green onions (high in Vitamin C), buckwheat (great for those with allergies), beef or chicken broth (provides skin-repairing amino acid glycine), and oats (contains Vitamin E and silica).

To determine which foods may be causing your flare up, try eliminating one of the common foods that cause eczema for 14 days and then reintroduce it back into your diet to see if it causes a reaction. Some common foods that can cause flare-ups are: citrus fruits, milk, eggs, wheat/gluten, soy, tomato, and certain types of nuts.

Vegetables and fruits that are high in inflammation-fighting flavonoids: Apples, broccoli, cherries, blueberries, spinach, and kale. Flavonoids have been found to help improve the overall health of a person's skin and fight problems such as inflammation (which is associated with eczema)

There is not much evidence that food elimination routinely improves atopic dermatitis. Avoidance of food with proven food allergy can be beneficial in improving moderate to severe AD and hence food elimination is not recommended for management of AD.

Food allergies do not cause atopic dermatitis. However, having atopic dermatitis may indicate an increased risk for food allergies, such as to peanuts for example.

Although there are no well-controlled studies – or even case reports – linking carbohydrate or gluten intake to perioral dermatitis, studies have shown a strong link between diet and rosacea. Erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea are known to be exacerbated by alcohol, hot or spicy foods, and chocolate.