Eczema

Eczema is a Skin ailment involving superficial Inflammation of the Skin mainly affecting the Epidermis. It is characterized by Itching with a red Rash often accompanied by small Blisters that weep and become blistered commonly associated with: vesicles (when acute), poorly marginated redness, edema, oozing, crusting, scaling, usually pruritus, and lichenification(layer on the skin cracked & dry) caused by scratching or rubbing.

Causes

• Genetic and dietary factors from a very early age, even during gestation, have an impact on the risk and prevalence of the disease

• Increasing the antioxidant intake of the mother during pregnancy can reduce the risk of eczema in the neonate

• Delaying weaning and exposure to solid foods may also be relevant as children exposed to a variety of solid foods before 4 months old had an increased risk (2.5times greater) of developing eczema

• Feeding children a hydrolysed plant-based protein formula in preference to a cow’s milk formula may be an alternate option as it reduces infant and childhood allergy incidence

• This is particularly important as alpha-casein, found in most dairy milk, is a common culprit for causing both IgE and IgG4 immune responses in people with milk responsive eczema

Treatment:

•  Eliminate food sensitivities/intolerances from the diet. (Milk, IgE allergy to milk, egg and/or peanut

• Increase Anti-inflammatory foods: (pineapple, garlic, tumeric, onion, ginger) & essential fatty acid foods(nuts, seeds, fish, avocado), Fish Oils (2g EPA/DHA) have been shown to be very effective.

•  Limit dairy (milk is the highest in lactose, then cheese & then yogurt

• Get calcium from: alomonds, brocolli, spinach, sardines, salmon (with bones), figs & sesame seeds