YorkTest > Talk Eczema

 

 

 

When it comes to eczema there is growing evidence that what we eat can produce a reaction in the skin, and that food is a really important factor. Doctors rarely explore the link between food intolerance and eczema with their patients, yet there is now clear evidence that for some eczema sufferers, relief (total or partial) can be obtained by a change in diet. Tests for allergies are usually carried out by health practitioners but food intolerance, which is less easy to diagnose, is frequently overlooked.

 

If your body cannot tolerate a particular food or one of its ingredients, then you will experience a reaction, such as eczema. It is, however, difficult to determine the specific food, or combinations of foods, that are responsible for each individual’s condition. Everyone is unique with a different biochemical make-up to others with the same condition. Cow's milk, nuts and yeast may be responsible for one person’s eczema but safe for another. Eggs, strawberries and lentils may contribute to one condition but be fine for the other.

 

The strategy for elimination diet based on food-specific IgG can give those with eczema a “route map” to identify foods to which they have had a reaction, and enable them to manage their diet and reduce their symptoms.

 

The patient support group Allergy UK commissioned the largest study of its kind to investigate this, summarising responses for a total of 5286 people who had taken a food-specific IgG test and acted upon the results. The study found that there is consistent evidence that noticeable benefit was gained from removing offending foods from the diet. The study included 183 eczema sufferers that changed their diet based on the food-specific IgG test. Out of these  83%  experienced significant benefit to their lives through an improvement in their eczema symptoms. The fact that these individuals saw a return of symptoms on reintroduction of the culprit foods identified by the food-specific IgG test supports the fact that this is an active and specific approach.