Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (193 page)

Other types of eczema

These include infantile seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap), which affects babies under the age of one. Although the precise cause is unknown, this form of eczema often clears up within a few months. Adult seborrheic dermatitis, which usually manifests as mild dandruff, can sometimes spread to the face, ears, and chest. It is believed to be linked to yeast infections. Discoid eczema is also found in adults and manifests as coin-shaped areas of red skin, normally on the trunk or lower legs.

Action plan

Get tested for food allergies. This can be done either through your GP or via a private laboratory (see www.gillianmckeithinfo.com). As eczema may be linked to both type A and/or type B food allergies, it might be advisable to be tested for both and then avoid all the foods that you test positive to. Alternatively, eliminate the foods that you think could be problematic—cow’s milk, eggs, wheat, soy, nuts, and shellfish are common triggers—and see if your eczema symptoms improve.

If you have to avoid certain foods due to food allergy, make sure you do not lose out on any important nutrients, as nutritional deficiencies can affect your skin. For example, if you’ve eliminated dairy products, make sure you get enough calcium from other sources such as nuts, seeds, tofu, and green leafy vegetables. If wheat is a problem, make sure you get sufficient fiber and B vitamins from other whole grains. If you have multiple food allergies, you might want to buy a natural food guide so you can work out what nutrients you might be missing out on, and other possible sources. Taking a general vitamin and mineral supplement or a nutrient-rich food-based supplement like spirulina may also help to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

If you think that your eczema could be linked to a yeast overgrowth such as
Candida albicans
, you may need to follow a strict anticandida diet. For more about what to eat and avoid on this diet, see page
219
.

EAT/DRINK

Whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Lots of water.

Foods that are rich in essential fatty acids such as oily fish (sardines, mackerel, wild salmon), seeds (flax, pumpkin, sunflower), and tofu, as they are important for skin health and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

AVOID

Foods that have a clogging effect on the body such as red meat, dairy products, fried and fatty foods, and hydrogenated fats and oils, as they are likely to exacerbate skin problems.

Caffeine and alcohol, as these have a dehydrating effect on the skin.

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Milk thistle is important to strengthen the liver. With all skin problems, there is usually a liver connection.

Nettle and dandelion teas.

Evening primrose oil. It has been reported that eczema sufferers do not
have the ability to process a fatty acid in the body called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Supplementation with oils that are rich in GLA such as evening primrose oil have been shown to be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of eczema.

Fish oil. It is thought that the omega-3 fats in fish oil reduce levels of leukotriene B4 in the body, a substance that is involved in the inflammatory process. Vegetarians can take flax seed oil for its omega-3 fats instead.

Probiotics may reduce allergic reactions by improving digestion, enhancing bowel health, and altering immune system responses.