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Eczema - Food for Thought
Bub Hub E-Newsletter, February 2006, Issue 43 - Article 2


The occurence of eczema has often been linked with environmental triggers - food in particular. Lynette Lamb, of Food Fitness, was a sufferer of severe atopic eczema for 30 years. She has now controlled the condition successfully with food management for over 11 years.

After a life time of reduced quality of life, Lynette started keeping extensive diaries, researched and developed principles that were successful in controlling her eczema. Through word of mouth Lynette was asked to help others and realized that the same food principles could be applied to other eczema sufferers. It was only then Lynette became a Dietitian. Lynette has offered us her insight below.

Thought about immunity
Eczema often results from sensitivities to our environment. An inflammatory response in hypersensitive individuals can be triggered through:

  • direct contact
  • inhalation or
  • ingestion

The immune system finds it difficult to distinguish between foreign (antigen) and acceptable substances and attempts to correct for the perceived hazard (auto immune response). This may result is tissue damage (eczema).

Assist immune recovery by reducing 'perceived hazards' and hence reduce the total load on the body.

Though about food
The most likely source of a foreign substance entering the body is through the digestive tract and into the blood stream. Consequently, our bodies have been designed, so that much of the body's immune system is located in, or surrounding the gut.

Individuals may find it difficult to detect food intolerances as:
  • the auto immune response to the same antigen can change with time, for example a child with asthma can shift to predominantly eczema or hay fever as an adult
  • the body's reactions to intolerances are often delayed (concealing the true culprit or foreign substance), and
  • when the immune system is functioning well there may be no reaction to a particular food previously perceived as 'foreign'
 

Allergies are generally an immediate reaction, the immune system over reacting to usually a protein in a specific food. Allergies are not as common as food intolerances but can be life threatening.

We do not fully understand the relationship between the digestive system, nervous system and immunity. However, the relationship between certain foods and digestive disorders is well recognized (such as coeliac).

It is often difficult to determine the cause of eczema, however it is possible to understand and control the condition with good support and some careful detective work.
 

Thought about the environment

Reduce the environmental load to assist immune recovery. Avoid known environmental triggers. Over time as exposure is reduced and the immune system recovers, hypersensitivity will diminish.

Thought about stress
Stress will worsen eczema particularly when a combination of triggers are compounded. The result is in an autoimmune response. When we are emotionally stressed we often find it difficult to manage life and tend to over react to situations that would normally not trouble us –sound familiar (auto immune response).

Reduce stress in your life?relax.

 

Thought about the skin
With an auto immune response, the skin tissue becomes damaged when itchiness and scratching begin. The skin can become thickened and infected. When the area starts to heal, a layer of the epidermis is lost (similar to sunburn losing a layer of damaged skin). The new skin needs to be protected to prevent further damage. The skin subjected to 'trauma' or exposure is the site that generally first erupts with eczema.

Areas include:

  • behind the knees,
  • the elbows,
  • the feet,
  • back of the hands,
  • the face, and
  • the neck.

Moisturize and protect the skin to aide both skin and immune recovery. In turn this will reduce:

  • severity of eczema
  • surface area covered in eczema
  • reduce the number of outbreaks

Moisturize everywhere, whenever possible - after showers swimming etc. This will protect the skin from further trauma and subsequent tissue damage. If skin has erupted and cortisone creams are warranted use on a short term basis until eczema has healed.

Remember moisturize and protect.

Thought about a coordinated effort
Investigate with good support and treat both the cause and the symptom.

Reduce the total load including:

  • reduce food triggers
  • reduce environmental triggers
  • protect the skin and
  • relax

Thought about the result - what can be expected?

  • Improved health
  • Improved skin
  • Better sleep
  • Improved concentration
  • Less medication
  • Increased energy
  • Increased memory
  • Increased self esteem
  • Happy self
  • Happy family


Article kindly supplied by Lynette Lamb of Food Fitness.
Consultant in Food Management. Nutrition and Dietetics APD
 
ph: (mobile) 0438 533 989
clinic locations: North Brisbane & Sunshine Coast, Qld



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