When it comes to exploring the causes of eczema, most people start with food allergies and sensitivities. The wide variety of things we eat each day often holds a key to why our immune systems kick into high gear and cause flare ups – but are allergies always the culprit? There’s a lot of confusion about what an allergy is and what sensitivity is – so today we’re going to explore them both in detail and help you figure out what may be behind your child’s eczema issues.

Food Allergies

When a child has food allergies, they cannot eat any of the food in question without experiencing moderate to severe allergic reactions that affect several systems and organs of their bodies. Allergies caused by food are severe more often than not, and in some cases they can be life threatening.

A food allergy triggers the body’s immune system to kick into high gear and overreact to the presence of the food. This causes a whole array of troubling symptoms that can last from minutes to days, and many of them may need to be treated by a doctor or with special medication in order to get them under control.

Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivities are far more common than food allergies, and chances are that all people’s bodies are sensitive to at least one type of food. When food sensitivities are the issue, small amounts of a trigger food can be eaten, or preventative measures can be taken before the food is eaten to remove any side effects. Common issues that arise from eating a trigger food include digestive issues, stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea, headache, or fatigue. In most cases food sensitivities cause discomfort but are not dangerous or life threatening like true allergies are.

Allergies, Sensitivities, and Eczema

When it comes to eczema outbreaks, both allergies and sensitivities can be the cause. An allergy can weaken or challenge the immune system enough that a flare up is inevitable. A sensitivity can do the same on a smaller scale leading to the body reacting with a flare up.

Since both allergies and sensitivities can be triggers for eczema, food is a really important place to look when identifying the best anti-eczema diet for your child. Keeping a food journal and noting what foods are eaten and when flare ups or itching happen can reveal patterns that show certain specific foods or food groups that your child’s body isn’t happy with. You can then eliminate these foods and the eczema along with them!

Does your child deal with a food allergy or food sensitivity that affects their eczema? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!