CERTAIN FOODS CAN CAUSE

ALLERGIC SKIN REACTIONS

People who are plagued with a skin condition called contact dermatitis may benefit from ridding their diets of foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes.

Individuals with contact dermatitis experience inflamed, red, itchy, scaly skin when they come in contact with substances they are allergic to.

In the study, the researchers asked patients who had previously been identified as having general food and fragrance allergies to eliminate various skin care products and perfumes as well as a variety of foods, spices and beverages.

Specifically, the 45 patients had allergies to a generic chemical found in many types of foods called balsam of Peru (BOP) and were also allergic to a mix of common chemicals used in fragrances. Allergies to BOP can be a red flag that a food allergy may be the cause, at least in part, for contact dermatitis.

After eliminating potential sources of irritation such as perfumes, colognes, skin care products and cleaners, patients who still did not see a reduction in symptoms were asked to eliminate foods that contain BOP-related chemicals.

Such foods include chocolate, citrus fruits, ice cream, cola and tomatoes -- in short dozens of foods that people most like to eat. Study participants also gave up flavorings including vanilla and cinnamon, and condiments such as ketchup and barbecue sauce.

After the elimination period, the patients were encouraged to start eating the foods again, one at a time every few days, in order to see which ones affected their skin condition.

Nearly half of the 45 participants had a complete or significant improvement in their condition that could be traced to the dietary changes.

Tomatoes, citrus and spices were the most commonly implicated foods.

While sticking to the stringent diet restrictions proved tough for some, those who succeeded saw improvements in their condition.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology September 2001;45:377-381

NEW STUDIES ON CHRONIC ITCHY SKIN (ECZEMA)

Atopic dermatitis is an immunologically-based chronic skin condition affecting millions of people around the world. The itchy skin condition typically appears in infancy as "red, scaly, crusted, and sometimes weeping patches on both cheeks and on the (lower) extremities."

During childhood, the disease usually moves to "flexing" areas such as knees, elbows, wrists, and ankles. In adult life, the condition may fall into alternating cycles of relapse and remission.

General recommendations include use of soap substitutes, emollients (such as petroleum jelly) after bathing, and avoidance of irritants such as detergents, solvents, wool, and lanolin," the authors report UV light therapy has proven "especially useful in acute exacerbations of atopic dermatitis," they say, leading to a relief of symptoms (in some patients), often with complete clearance of the face, which is very sensitive to side-effects of topical steroids.

The standard treatment for the disease remains the topical application of immunosuppressant drugs called corticosteroid, which are sometimes used in combination with antibiotic therapy.

However, some patients react poorly to these medications, and other immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporin, "azathioprine, and tacrolimus have proven to be useful alternatives. The authors warn that all of these drugs come with certain side effects and some carry long-term cancer risks.

The Lancet June 6, 1998;351:1715-1721.

DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:

This is a good review of the traditional approach for this incredibly common illness. It saddens me greatly that potent cancer causing drugs are being used to treat this illness. The first basic step for anyone with eczema is to increase the omega-6 fatty acids.

Evening primrose oil would be the best option for GLA and you should take 6-12 capsules per day. Doses less than six per day will not work. Borage oil has large amounts of nervonic acid and should be avoided.

Omega three oils are also very important and my favorite recommendation here is either freshly ground flax seeds (in coffee grinder) or Carlson's lemon flavored cod liver oil. www.mercola.com