Dermatitis
Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that produces flaking, thickening, scaling, colour changes and, quite often, itching. Many cases are the result of contact allergies caused by items such as perfumes, cosmetics, rubber and nickel. Others are linked with food intolerance and allergy problems. The most notable being dermatitis herpetiformis which has frequently been linked with the consumption of foods containing gluten, and, sometimes, dairy products.
Reunala states that dermatitis herpetiformis is a lifelong, gluten-sensitive, blistering skin disease yet less than 10% of those with the condition also have gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of coeliac disease, yet they all have gluten-sensitive enteropathy. The rash responds to gluten withdrawal. (1)
The Department of Dermatology (St Mary's Hospital, London, U.K.) has been using gluten-free diets to treat individuals with dermatitis herpetiformis since 1967. Garioch et al propose a gluten-free diet as the most appropriate treatment for patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. (2)
Other forms of dermatitis have also been found to be triggered or exacerbated by food intolerance problems. For example:
- In a study of 25 children with severe atopic dermatitis Van Bever et al found the condition to be linked to reactions to eggs, wheat, milk, soya, and various additives including tartrazine, sodium benzoate, sodium glutamate and sodium metabisulphite. They concluded that some foods, food additives, tyramine and acetylsalicylic acid, can cause positive double-blind placebo-controlled challenges in children with severe atopic dermatitis. (3)
- Burks et al evaluated 46 patients with atopic dermatitis for food hypersensitivity. Sixty one per cent had a reaction to one of the foods tested. Egg, milk and peanut were the most common culprits. As in previous studies, patients developed skin, respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms during the testing. They concluded that children with atopic dermatitis that is unresponsive to routine therapy or who continue to need daily treatment after several months would benefit from evaluation for food hypersensitivity. (4)
- Sampson and McCaskill studied 113 children with severe atopic dermatitis. Fifty six per cent responded positively. Once again, egg, milk and peanut were the most common culprits. They concluded that, for some children with this condition, appropriate diagnosis of a food problem followed by an exclusion diet can lead to significant improvement in their symptoms. (5)
Although particular foods have been mentioned above it is important to remember that any food can cause any condition. You can read more about food intolerance on this site or in Change Your Diet and Change Your Life.