Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 7/10/2006

Question
Hi Dr Conner, :)

I have been dealing with atopic dermatitis for about 5 years now. It started when I was about 24 yrs old, I was working as a Nuclear Medicine Tech at the time and believed it was caused by the constant washing of my hands and wearing latex gloves. I have since been working as a Medical Underwriter in an office, however I have never been able to get rid of my eczema. It is only on my hands, however they go thru the bunping itching phase, to weeping vesicles to crusting and starting all over again. I am awre of the outside irritants such as dust, animals, etc which has been confirmed that I am allergic to. However I believe the problem is dietary. I was never a big eater of wheat as a child. I didn't eat sandwiches, pasta or bread and I only increased this as I aged and started new things, especially when I married mmy husband who is of Italian background. He introduced me to ciabatta, bagettes, and we ate a lot of pizza. I feel I may be intolerant of a food in my diet and since wheat is such a large part of my diet now, I can only think of this as causing my skin condition. Do you think this makes sense? What would you consider as treatment?

P.S. I currently take a Omega 3, multivitamin, 20mg Paxil and Demulen for Birth control. I am in pretty good shape, 130/74 BP resting heartrate of 60, and I run 3 times a week (25km). My current diet consists of approx 70% carbs, 10% protein and 20% fat.

Thank you in advance!
Sara

Answer
Hello Sara,
There is a high correlation between eczema and food sensitivities.  If you have confirmed environmental allergies, this is even more likely.  The way to uncover food allergies is through testing or an elimination/ challenge diet.  ALCAT or Elisa blood testing for food allergies helps pinpoint these allergans, but generally these tests are available only through a practitioner.  You could eliminate wheat and /or other foods for 2-4 weeks, then add them one by one into your diet again, and look for reactions.  (other common food allergens are dairy, gluten grains, sugars, corn, soy, eggs, peanuts, food additives and dyes)  This is the most reliable way to find your allergies.  Since it's quite an involved process, I'd suggest you enlist the help of a naturopathic doctor or nutritionist.  If that's not possible, find a book that will guide you through it.  
Other supplements that are used for eczema are B vitamins, which are depleted by birth control pills, zinc, probiotics, and essential fatty acids.  Although you are taking supplements, you might not be taking enough of these or taking high-quality supplements that contain what they say they do.  Absorption is important to look at too, so if you have any digestive complaints, they should be addressed as well.  Often, these are due to food sensitivities so eliminating those foods improves GI symptoms as well.  Herbs that are commonly used include oregon grape root, red clover, burdock, dandelion, and licorice (internally) and calendula, chickweed (topically).  Homeopathics, chosen for individual symptoms, are often very effective, also.  Other areas to consider are stress management and sensitivity to toxic home/ body care products.  
Usually, treating one or more of these areas will result in significant or complete improvement, so it is well worth your time to try it.  Plus, there are many other benefits for improving overall health.  
Thanks for your question and good luck in your search.  
Dr Conner