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An individual suffering from the chronic skin infection known as eczema will be plagued by swollen, red skin, that will include an itchy, scaly rash. Much like individuals who struggle with hay fever, asthma, and other allergies, the individuals who have eczema are likely be genetically inclined to this skin infection. Doctors also believe that there are allergens and irritants in an individual’s environment that can cause the symptoms of eczema to worsen. An additional hypothesis is that a causal connection exists between eczema and diet, whereby particular types of food can cause symptoms to appear.

There are no definitive studies that pinpoint the exact connection between food allergies or sensitivity and eczema, but a magnification of symptoms in some individuals does seem to be associated with eating some kinds of foods. Some of the foods that appear to be catalysts for heightened symptoms of eczema are: eggs, chocolate, cow’s milk, seafood, soybeans, food coloring, wheat, acidic foods, and citrus fruits. Food additives such as MSG and sulfites are also believed to cause an added dose of irritation to eczema prone skin.

It can sometimes be difficult to determine the role that the foods that you are eating are playing in the severity and frequency of your eczema outbreaks. The impact appears to be different among sufferers and is also affected by what sorts of foods have been consumed. Some food allergies and/or sensitivities make themselves known right away after eating the offending food while others take a little longer. It is possible for several hours to pass before symptoms emerge.

Anyone prone to eczema should keep a close watch on their diet and take note of any impact that certain types of foods have on your outbreaks. Ridding your body of a specific food for six weeks is the most effective way to determine whether that food has caused your eczema outbreaks. If you have an allergy to the food or sensitivity to it, then your eczema should get better during the six week period while you are not eating it. You should remove only one food from your diet for the six week period, if you would like to try this method. If you try more than one, you will have no way of knowing which food was the culprit.

Even if you figure out that a certain food is causing your eczema to get worse, you will not necessarily bring an end to the skin condition. Instead, eliminating the food from your diet will help alleviate some of the symptoms of eczema and can help to lessen the occurrence of flare ups.

Eczema is a medical condition that covers a wide range of skin problems, from dyshidrotic eczema to atopic dermatitis. It’s evidenced by red, flaky patches on the skin that are very itchy, as well as unsightly. Learn more about treatment options including over the counter eczema treatment at the Eczema Treatment site.