- Take vitamin supplements that may have a direct effect on your eczema. Vitamin B complex is the most necessary vitamin for cell growth and healthy skin. Vitamin A can reduce the scaling and vitamin D is essential for your skin. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, reducing the symptoms of the allergy. Vitamin E is good for healing and Biotin produces fatty acids also vital for healthy skin. Minerals also help, including Selenium, which boosts the benefit of vitamin C and Zinc, a natural medication to clear rashes.
- Oily, fried foods and animal fats block the formation of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, creating inflammation. Avoid foods that often cause allergies, including wheat in bread, crackers, donuts, pancakes and cookies. Dairy products that are mainly the casein in the milk, including yogurt and milk chocolate, should also be avoided. Shellfish and peanuts cause allergies and could exacerbate eczema. Green, leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grains, nuts and seeds as well as salmon, mackerel, sardines and chicken do not cause eczema.
- The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care says eczema in infants and children can be gone by the time they are teenagers for most people, but for some it can last a lifetime. Professor Sawicki, Director of the German Institute says, "Restricting children's diets can harm their health and growth, so parents need to be careful about acting on unproven theories about diet and eczema." If a child tests positive for food allergies, such as milk and eggs, then these specific foods should be avoided, but otherwise, removing them from the diet can be harmful. The current study shows essential foods need not be removed from a child's diet if she has eczema.
- In Britain, the cases of eczema have increased 40 percent in the last four years. Many people believe that removing certain foods from a child's diet will help reduce the symptoms, but a study led by Professor Aziz Sheikh for the University of Edinburgh said that the frequency of bathing may be the main reason. Strong soap, detergents and cleaning products are blamed. There is an obsession with cleanliness, beyond what is necessary for hygienic life, which is drying and irritating the skin of many people.
