Dietary Management of Atopic Eczema in Babies

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Atopic Eczema is a skin condition common among babies and it is majorly caused by food an infant is fed on.

The condition occurs as a result of skin inflammation which in return causes the skin to be itchy and inflamed.

Atopic Eczema mostly affects babies between 6 months to 2 years. Feeding an infant with anti-inflammatory diet can aid in reducing the risk of this condition hence suppressing the signs and symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of Atopic Eczema

  • Skin itchiness
  • Dry skin
  • Peeling of skin and skin redness

 Food that trigger atopic eczema

Some food can trigger inflammation by stimulating release of T-Cells from the body, thus causing the antibodies to fight back causing inflammation.

  • Gluten or Wheat and wheat products
  • Dairy products like milk and cheeses
  • Citrus fruits-oranges and lemon
  • Eggs
  • Soy and soy products
  • Tomatoes
  • Spices-vanilla and cinnamon
  • Foods with preservatives and artificial ingredients is also found to be a major trigger for eczema.

Nonetheless, eliminate food that triggers eczema because this can vary from one person to the other, opt for alternatives.

Anti-inflammatory diet

Omega 3 rich foods -These food aid in reducing inflammation and boost skin repair and rejuvenation.

  • Fatty fish-they are rich in omega 3 fatty acid which acts as anti-inflammatory component in diet. Salmon, Tilapia,
  • Flaxseeds oil
  • Chia seeds
  • Walnuts
  • Avocados
  • Kidney beans

Fruits and vegetables rich in color- they contain flavonoids which contain antioxidants and antihistamine type which help to reduce inflammation e.g.

  • Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Managu
  • Terere
  • Sukuma wiki

Probiotics –they enhance health of the gut and thus boosting immunity reducing allergic reactions they include

  • Fermented pickles
  • Kefir
  • Yoghurt
  • Sauerkraut

Vitamin A rich foods: this vitamin is key in formation of skin integrity and mucosal membrane and acts as an immunity booster which are mostly orange and brown vegetables

  • Carrots
  • Sweet potatoes,
  • Calf’s liver
  • Cooked squash
  • Cooked kales
  • Spinach
  • Sweet red pepper
  • Lettuces
  • Mangoes
  • Water melon
  • Papaya
  • Red grape fruits apricot
  • Tangerine

Vitamin C rich foods- vitamin c is an antihistamine which play key role in prevention of inflammation.

  • Orange
  • Strawberries
  • Kiwi fruit
  • Lemon
  • Tangerines

Sugars rich foods triggers inflammation -cakes, sodas and fast food items.

vitamin E-is fat soluble vitamin these are foods which play a role in protecting and healing the skin (antioxidant) found in

  • Vegetable oils
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Almonds,
  • Mangoes
  • Broccoli
  • Avocadoes
  • Green leafy vegetables-spinach, terere, managu, sukuma wiki

Other types of Eczema

Contact Dermatitis Eczema

Contact dermatitis is the most common type of work related skin disease.

Adult Seborrhoeic Eczema

Seborrhoeic dermatitis in adults tends to affect the scalp, face, torso and flexures.

Infantile Seborrhoeic Eczema

Infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis (also called seborrhoeic eczema) is a common skin condition seen in infants under the age of one year. Often, but not always it affects the scalp as cradle cap.

Discoid Eczema

Discoid eczema is very distinct with ‘coin shaped’ discs of eczema the size of a fifty pence piece.

Pompholyx Eczema

The key characteristic of pompholyx eczema is blistering that is restricted to the hands and feet.

Asteatotic Eczema

Also known as “eczema cracquelée”, Asteatotic eczema almost always affects people over the age of 60.

Varicose Eczema

Varicose eczema (also called gravitational or stasis eczema) is common later in life.

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