The disease is also referred to as allergic eczema or Besnier's prurigo. The eczema is most often located in the area of the bend of the arm, the hollow of the knee, on the wrist and in the face. The disease can be developed at different times during childhood.
It is essential for the maturation of a child’s immune system that an intestinal flora with many bacteria types is established. If there are too few gram negative bacteria or if the intestines are colonized too late, the production of IgE antibodies is increased leading to an increased risk of allergy.
The first thing to do is to determine which food groups or other agents are prone to elicit allergy or hypersensitivity. Some experience a remarkable improvement in their condition when they eliminate the food groups from the diet to which they are allergic.
Ordinary foodstuffs that can contribute to the development of allergies are: Egg, milk, other dairy products, chocolate, peanuts, soya, tomatoes, potatoes, and nuts, together with gluten from wheat, rye, barley and oats, which is most pronounced in coeliac disease (gluten intolerance).
In infants, the most frequent cause of food allergy is milk from cows. It is therefore recommended to breast-feed children as long as possible; especially in familes with many allergiy sufferers. If breast-feeding is impossible, certain milk replacements are available that seldom cause allergy. The family physician, pediatritian, health visitor, or dietician are familiar with these products and are also the ones that can offer you the required advice on childhood allergy.
A candida fungus which has spread too much in the digestive canal can be a contributory cause in developing eczema.
Additives, colouring matters, conservatives, and perfume can also cause allergy and eczema.
There are many indications that allergiy sufferers have problems with the absorption and conversion of essential fatty acids (omega 3 and -6) which are important to the skin.
Deficiency in these fatty acids can lead to eczema-related conditions.
A daily supplement of fish oil, however, will in many cases provide better results because it rectifies the imbalance in the omega 3 - omega 6 fatty acids ratio. If necessary you can take a supplement of both.
Research has shown that mothers who take a daily supplement of lactic acid bacteria a couple of weeks before the birth until 6 months after the baby is born reduce the risk of their child developing eczema.
A stressfull existence filled with worries etc. can aggravate already existing eczema.
