Dave is a sweet 3-year-old who has been dealing with recurring eczema since he was around 5 months old. When I first met him, he shyly peeked out from behind his mom but still shared his favorite snack with me. Despite his shyness, his kindness and generosity shone through.
Eczema comes in various forms, and Dave has atopic eczema.
This type often appears in children from families with a history of IgE allergies. What sets it apart from other types is how the rash progresses. Dave’s eczema first appeared on his cheeks around the time he started eating solid foods at 5 months old. Over the next two and a half years, the rash spread to other parts of his body, especially in skin-fold areas like behind the knees and inside the elbows. The rashes were itchy, red, and sometimes oozed, eventually making the skin thick and leathery.
Atopic eczema is mainly a childhood condition, with 75% of cases appearing before the age of one, often around 6 months. Given the timing of introducing solid foods and more permeable intestines in toddlers, some people suspect food sensitivities might be linked to eczema, though this is debated among medical professionals.
Studies have shown that food can play a role in about 40% of moderate and severe cases, and 70% in severe cases in very young children. Common triggers are often regularly consumed foods.
Here are some indicators that food may cause eczema:
- Severe eczema appears before 6 months old.
- The child experiences colic, vomiting, or diarrhea months before eczema surfaces.
- The child has a strong dislike for certain foods they’ve never tried.
- There is clear evidence of certain foods causing flare-ups. Sensitivity to one food might mean sensitivity to others.
- Other symptoms like headaches, migraines, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, or general malaise accompany the rash.
While food sensitivity tests are popular, they shouldn’t be considered conclusive.
Elevated antibodies don’t always mean a food triggers eczema. The most effective way to check for food sensitivity is through an elimination and re-challenge diet. This involves removing certain foods to see if the rash improves and then reintroducing them one at a time to check for reactions.
This method, along with food sensitivity tests, can help guide decisions. In my experience, while diet changes rarely cure eczema completely, they can significantly reduce its severity and improve quality of life.
If you suspect that your child’s eczema might be food-related, it’s essential to consult professionals for proper guidance. Avoid attempting elimination and re-challenge diets on your own, as they can pose risks such as anaphylaxis without a proper safety plan.
Call us today or schedule an appointment and one of our specialists can help create a plan for your child’s eczema.
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Dr. Sherry Su, ND, FABNG
Naturopathic Doctor San Jose
408-356-1364
