Tips for Using an Elimination Diet to Determine the Root Cause of Eczema Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Eczema
Should You Try an Elimination Diet to Determine the Root Cause of Eczema
Not every eczema case can be linked back to food, but some people try it in hopes of identifying what’s causing their flare-ups. By Moira LawlerMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: October 10, 2019Medically ReviewedFoods like peanuts, fish, and eggs could be linked to flare-ups of eczema, though the research isn't clear. ShutterstockIf you’re living with eczema or atopic dermatitis, you know targeting your triggers and keeping your skin moisturized are two essentials for happy, healthy skin. When it comes to eczema triggers, there are some known culprits — think fragrance, laundry detergent, hot or cold weather, and even stress — notes the National Eczema Association. Yet what you put at the end of your fork may also play a role in your risk for flare-ups. Typically, after eating a triggering food, your skin will get itchy or red. You may also notice swollen, hive-like patches or a flare of preexisting lesions, past research suggests. The symptoms may not be immediate — they could take a few hours or up to two days to appear. To identify those triggers in yourself or your infant, maybe you’ve considering trying an elimination diet. This involves avoiding specific foods that you think are responsible for your symptoms, according to the University of Wisconsin in Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. These diets are used mainly to identify triggers for health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and migraines. Sometimes, people with eczema try them, too, if they suspect food is triggering their symptoms. Indeed, according to the aforementioned research, infants with moderate to severe eczema are more likely to have food allergies, so identifying the foods that trigger their allergy symptoms may also help control eczema. RELATED: Researchers Identify Subtype of Eczema Tied to Food Allergies Easing Eczema During COVID-19
Recorded 3/11/21. Managing eczema can be a struggle, especially in harsh winter temperatures. Factor in pandemic-related stress and that's a recipe for flare-ups. Tune in to hear dermatologist Ross Radusky, MD, and eczema patient advocate Nicola Johnston...see more How Can an Elimination Diet Work for Eczema
Everyone responds to foods differently — not everyone with eczema will have the same reaction to milk, for instance — so an elimination diet may not be the right tool to add to your arsenal against eczema. The University of Wisconsin in Madison outlines these general steps for following an elimination diet:Make a list. Include all the foods you eat throughout the day and note your body’s reaction to eating them. The ones that seem to worsen your eczema symptoms are your potential problem foods.Cut out the problem foods. Omit these potential problem foods from your diet for two to four weeks. Pay close attention to food labels during this time. That’s important because if you mistakenly eat something containing the ingredient, you’ll need to start the clock over. Note how you feel during this period.Challenge your body. If symptoms don’t improve over the two-to-four-week period, decide if you want to start again with a different set of problem ingredients. Or, if your symptoms have improved, one of the foods you eliminated is likely causing your issues. Then it’s time to reintroduce the eliminated foods back into your diet. Do this one at a time every three days in order to determine which food is to blame, starting with a small amount on day one and increasing that amount each day. Note how your body reacts. Should the symptoms return, you’ve found your trigger. Add that food to your “allergic” list and avoid it going forward. RELATED: 7 Types of Eczema and What They Look Like Is It a Good Idea to Try an Elimination Diet for Eczema
It can be — but not always, says Susan Bard, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Vive Dermatology Surgery & Aesthetics in Brooklyn, New York. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology foods are a trigger in 20 to 30 percent of moderate to severe eczema cases. Dr. Bard says an elimination diet for eczema is worth trying only if it seems clear that a food is to blame for an outbreak. “I tell patients that if they see an obvious association between a certain food and eczema flares to avoid that food,” she says. Alice Hoyt, MD, an allergist and clinical immunologist with Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, also doubts food is always to blame. “The reason we don't recommend elimination diets to modify atopic dermatitis is because there's no evidence that it will actually change the disease process because foods are not causing atopic dermatitis,” she says. She says it might seem like there’s a link because eczema patients are at increased risk of developing other allergies, including food allergies, but says it’s much more beneficial to look at what people are putting on their skin rather than what they’re eating. RELATED: The Connection Between Eczema and Diet What Are the Potential Risks of Elimination Diets When It Comes to Eczema
The downside of elimination diets is they can lead to unbalanced eating because you may rule out entire food groups in an effort to find your trigger, Bard says. This excessive restriction can lead to nutritional deficiencies, according to a past study. That’s why Dr. Hoyt pairs patients who are trying an elimination diet with a registered dietitian, who can advise them on how to source necessary nutrients. For instance, if you eliminate dairy, you’ll need to find other ways to meet your calcium needs. “The point is to optimize good nutrition,” she says. Another major downside is that elimination diets could lead to increased intolerance and more immediate sensitivity to the food in the future. A study published in the March-April 2016 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice found that after confirming food-triggered eczema, about 19 percent of participants had an immediate negative reaction when they were next exposed to the ingredient, which had never happened before. Rather than eliminating the food completely, the researchers suggest a better approach would be to determine how much of the ingredient your body can handle and incorporate that amount into your diet. RELATED: A Detailed Guide to Treating Eczema The Most Common Food Allergies Associated With Eczema
According to The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice study, the most common triggers for 183 study participants were milk (57.5 percent), eggs (30.6 percent), and soy (21 percent). Daniel P. Friedmann, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology in Austin, adds wheat and peanuts to the list of common allergens for people with eczema, and a past article notes fish is another usual suspect. RELATED: How to Target Eczema Triggers Visit an Allergist for Guidance on the Elimination Diet
Though you’re likely used to visiting your dermatologist for eczema, if a food allergy could be in play, it’s best to see an allergist as well. Dr. Friedmann says your dermatologist will likely recommend you visit a board-certified allergy specialist to determine what food allergies you have and to advise on whether an elimination diet will be right for you. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter
SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Eczema
Atopic Dermatitis in Skin of Color Your Questions Answered
Also known as eczema, atopic dermatitis is a particular problem for Black Americans and other people of color. Mohiba Tareen, MD, a dermatologist and ...By Shantal RileySeptember 13, 2022 The Best Soap for Eczema Atopic Dermatitis Try a Non-Soap Cleanser Instead
It may be time to rethink your routine and opt for a cleanser that won’t dry out your skin like soap can. Here are 6 great picks that are gentle on eczema...By Leslie BarrieAugust 19, 2022 Eczema Treatment Topical Medication Light Therapy Natural Remedies and More
By Joseph Bennington-CastroAugust 10, 2022 Atopic Dermatitis Medications Topicals Steroids and Other Types to Know
By Joseph Bennington-CastroAugust 5, 2022 Can Mind-Body Therapies Help With Severe Eczema
These alternative approaches won’t cure your condition, but they may help you better manage its symptoms.By Blake MillerJuly 15, 2022 How to Break the Itch-Scratch Cycle if You Have Severe Eczema
The vicious cycle caused by the condition — where scratching leads to more itching — can be combatted with simple but effective methods and treatments...By Blake MillerJuly 15, 2022 6 Ways to Make Travel Easier if You Have Severe Eczema
Severe eczema doesn’t take a vacation — even when you’re traveling. Find out how to prepare for a trip and make your journey easier.By Erica PatinoJuly 15, 2022 5 Tips for Managing Anxiety and Depression if You Have Severe Eczema
Severe eczema doesn’t just cause itchy skin — it can also lead to anxiety and depression as well. Find out how to handle the emotional challenges of eczema...By Erica PatinoJuly 15, 2022 8 Ways You re Making Your Atopic Dermatitis Worse
You can’t change the genetics that underly atopic dermatitis (eczema), but you can alter the everyday behaviors that intensify itch and inflammation.By Naomi BarrJuly 13, 2022 Why Is Topical Steroid Withdrawal So Controversial in Atopic Dermatitis Treatment
Atopic dermatitis patients are taking to social media to share dramatic images of red, cracked, peeling skin that they blame on the overuse of topical...By Paula DerrowJuly 12, 2022 MORE IN Pets and Childhood Eczema What Parents Need to Know
Your Everyday Guide to Living Well With Eczema
Eczema-Proof Your House A Room-by-Room Guide