Eczema Support Group
Eczema is a form of inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The main symptoms are skin rashes characterized by redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Eczema can be extremely physically and socially uncomfortable. If you're an eczema sufferer, join the group and get support.
Hi all,
I have had eczema all my life, and two years ago I developed asthma. My biggest problem is I have no idea what triggers attacks of eczema.
I am a student at the moment so I move from my mum's flat in London, and my student house in Cornwall (right in the countryside). So this rules out environmental issues from pollution and mold. I think my mum cat triggers flair up of eczema on my hands and my asthma. My asthma is generally fine when I'm in Cornwall (away from the cat), I know its not pollution because I was in New York for a while with no issues. However this does not answer what triggers my eczema.
It can be bad when I'm at my mum's, my student house and on holiday. This I think rules out environmental factors and leans towards a food allergy. I'm moving back to my student house in a week, and when I go back I was thinking on going on a food elimination diet and I wanted advice.
I was thinking of going on a juice only diet for 24/48 hours and then ruling out all diary for like 3/4 weeks to see if their is an improvement and then maybe move on to tomatoes. I wanted to know does any one have any good advice on how I should go about finding out if I have a food trigger, what foods should I eliminate or should I go about it in a different way. My doctor is not really any help when it comes to this, so I'm really relying on you guys for advice.
Thanks
I have had eczema all my life, and two years ago I developed asthma. My biggest problem is I have no idea what triggers attacks of eczema.
I am a student at the moment so I move from my mum's flat in London, and my student house in Cornwall (right in the countryside). So this rules out environmental issues from pollution and mold. I think my mum cat triggers flair up of eczema on my hands and my asthma. My asthma is generally fine when I'm in Cornwall (away from the cat), I know its not pollution because I was in New York for a while with no issues. However this does not answer what triggers my eczema.
It can be bad when I'm at my mum's, my student house and on holiday. This I think rules out environmental factors and leans towards a food allergy. I'm moving back to my student house in a week, and when I go back I was thinking on going on a food elimination diet and I wanted advice.
I was thinking of going on a juice only diet for 24/48 hours and then ruling out all diary for like 3/4 weeks to see if their is an improvement and then maybe move on to tomatoes. I wanted to know does any one have any good advice on how I should go about finding out if I have a food trigger, what foods should I eliminate or should I go about it in a different way. My doctor is not really any help when it comes to this, so I'm really relying on you guys for advice.
Thanks
I know have posted the following site a couple of times lately, so sorry for the repitition if you have seen it. But it is referring to exactly what you are asking. The FAILSAFE diet is referred to as a " kind of dyslexic acronym" meaning Free of Additives, and Low In Salicylates, Amines and Flavour Enhancers. So it not only eliminates the artificial additives but drastically reduces the natural chemicals found in food. The idea is you follow an Elimination Diet for approx 3-6 weeks then challenge food groups or specific additives by consuming large quantities to see if you have a reaction. FAILSAFE was devised to support families doing the Elimination Diet devised by the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit in Sydney, Australia. I have also included the link to the factsheet for asthma in case you are interested.
The trouble with doing a juice only diet is depending on the juice it can contain either or both amines and Salicylates. Both of these occur in tomatoes.
The website explains exactly how to implement this diet but to see if you think this is you here are the factsheets on eczema and asthma.
www.fedup.com.au/factsheets/symptom-factsheets/eczema
www.fedup.com.au/factsheets/symptom-factsheets/asthma-and-food
Also another thought is a dust mite sensitivity. It might pay to investigate dust mite covers for your mattress and pillow. We suspect this may be a leading factor in our boy's eczema. Next month we are commencing dust mite desensitisation with the allergist.
Once you go a time without all of those slowly add one of them back in. If no issues after a week or so, add in another. If something triggers issue, cut it back out and test something else. The most important thing I would say is to journal, journal, journal. Keep track of EVERYTHING! Good luck!
What I do currently is have soy milk on my cereal in the morning - muesli with fruit usually, so natural, no sugar or additives.
During the day I can't say I eat totally no sugar etc as I often have a muesli bar if I am at work & hungry & need something quick. (sugar level in body drops too quick - opposite of diabetic).
for lunch I have a sandwhich with either cold meat or a spread, 1 pice of homemade cake (minimum sugar) then fruit or fruit in small containers in juice or syrup so purely natural. Afternoon I try to eat fruit mid afternoon but sometimes I will grab a muesli bar depending on situation.
Tea/dinner I have a variety of meals, sometimes meat & vegetables & other times meat & chips or occasional pizza.
I am not eating totally natural but keeping excema best under control I have for long time.
I take 3 x 1000mg evenng primrose oil capsules a day, when skin gets extra dry I will take same at night to boost. I use as much of pure moisturisers as I can & steroid ointment/cream when I need it.
If I miss my evening primrose oil capsules for a few days my skin becomes very dry/cracked & itchy so I know it works.
Also when I can get hold of it I will use an aloevera leaf, break it open & put the insides on dry patches & esp any excema & then I will glad wrap/cling wrap so that it sweats & goes into the excema better. Works wonderfully.
Hope this helps.
i have fish oil as well.
my excema is usually stress or if my body is run down OR a reaction to a cream or product.
i have a little bit on each ear at the moment, it hasn't spread.
i had a small patch on my neck this morning but i am going to put it down to one of those "gradual tan" moisturisers i tried yesterday.
i wouldn't do a juice diet, no way, we need grounding food and fruit also can have alot of sugar!
avocado is meant to be full of good oils and fish if you can eat it. (i can't so i take fish oil).