Does what you eat affect eczema?

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Does what you eat affect eczema?

Definition  |  Food Allergies  |  Food Types  |  Diagnosis

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Written By Dr. Joshua Townley, BForensSc, PhD.

Updated on December 06, 2023

Definition

Is eczema an allergy?

While there is undoubtedly a link between eczema and food allergies, and food allergy may trigger eczema flare-ups in some people, it is not the cause1. 

Eczema appears on the skin, but it is actually considered a disorder of the immune system, and involves defects in the skin barrier, skin dryness and inflammation2.

Certain food allergies and eczema are sometimes grouped in the same family with asthma and hay fever, which are related because they all typically involve increased production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to low amounts of common allergens1. As a result, they often occur in tandem.

Food Allergies

How common are food allergies in eczema?

Food allergies also involve the immune system, so it might not come as a surprise that around 30% of children with eczema and a family history of allergies will also develop a food allergy before the age of five (compared with only 10% in the general population)2.

Eczema appears on the skin, but it is actually considered a disorder of the immune system, and involves defects in the skin barrier, skin dryness and inflammation.

Dr. Joshua Townley

Food Types

Foods that may trigger eczema symptoms

Common food allergens may be considered as possible triggers for eczema include1;

  • Cow's milk
  • Eggs
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Peanuts

Diagnosis

How to diagnose food allergies with eczema?

Food allergies can be potentially serious, with a risk of anaphylaxis in extreme cases, so it's important to discuss any concerns with your medical practitioner. Specialists can investigate the cause of a suspected allergy through skin prick tests or serum specific IgE tests1.

Do I need to eliminate certain foods from my diet?

It may be tempting to simply try eliminating certain foods from yours or your child's diet, but you should always consult a clinical immunology or allergy specialist first. While it can be an option if best practice topical therapy proves unsuccessful on its own, excluding common foods from the diet without suitable replacement can lead to malnutrition and may affect normal growth2.

The information included is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Eczema requires diagnosis by a medical practitioner. See your medical practitioner for further information. 

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References

1. Wollenberg A, Oranje A, Deleuran M, Simon D, Szalai Z, Kunz B, et al. ETFAD/EADV Eczema task force 2015 position paper on diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in adult and paediatric patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2016;30(5):729–47.

2. ASCIA. Eczema and Food Allergy [Internet]. Australas. Soc. Clin. Immunol. Allergy ASCIA. 2020 [cited 2021 Jul 28]; Available from: www.allergy.org.au/patients/fast-facts/eczema-and-food-allergy.