Eczema and Food Allergy

citymama2012

I'm new to this board so forgive me if this has already been addressed...

 

My LO suffered with a bad case of eczema which was improperly diagnosed for almost a month.  The new dermatologist I took him to has diagnosed the eczema and after treating with hydrocortisone and aquafor his skin had cleared until a flare up today.  Additionally he's had issues with reflux, gas, and extreme fussiness.  All of this led me to suspect food allergies even though the doctors NEVER suggested this.  I started to monitor my diet, eliminate all dairy and soy, and he also seems to be sensitive to too much tomato and citrus.  

Just wondering what if the eczema could be due to something I am eating?  Is there a way to test to see exactly what is triggering his allergies (he is only 11 weeks old)?  What type of doctor or specialist should I seek out?

Thanks so much!!! 

BLM10

I'm new to this board but my son had severe eczema and reflux when I was BFing, all because of milk sensitivities.

 

Miller238

You will probably get mixed answers depending on which doctor you ask.  Many dermatologists don't believe that food allergies cause allergies.  An allergist, on the other hand, will tell you it does.  I personally believe it does considering the difference I saw in my daughter once her allergens were removed from my diet. 

I would seek out a pediatric allergist.  I switched pedis over the situation because I was told that less than 5% of kids have a true allergy, so she probably doesn't have allergies and he also told me not to cut foods from my diet.  He was so wrong. 

We saw both a dermatologist and allergist starting at 3 months old.  I hope you can get some answers!

ETA:  That should say, allergies cause eczema!  Not allergies cause allergies!

egankn

Miller238:

You will probably get mixed answers depending on which doctor you ask.  Many dermatologists don't believe that food allergies cause allergies.  An allergist, on the other hand, will tell you it does.  I personally believe it does considering the difference I saw in my daughter once her allergens were removed from my diet. 

I would seek out a pediatric allergist.  I switched pedis over the situation because I was told that less than 5% of kids have a true allergy, so she probably doesn't have allergies and he also told me not to cut foods from my diet.  He was so wrong. 

We saw both a dermatologist and allergist starting at 3 months old.  I hope you can get some answers!

I agree, see a pediatric allergist. I was asking your same questions a couple months ago. DS started with eczema and after seeing a pediatric allergist we now know he's allergic to dairy, eggs and peanuts. All things he was getting in my breastmilk. I've been off of them for 2 weeks now and he's improved 80%, well worth fighting for!

pawcall

Definitely an allergist.  My son's horrific eczema "magically" cleared when I took soy out of my diet (while BFing)

monstermakermom

 My son had horrible Eczema when he was a newborn and breast fed. I would always ask our pedi about it and how my baby would exorcist vomit all the time. He would blow me off and say, baby's have eczema or baby acne, and baby's spit up it's completely normal and he will grow out of it. It looked like he had bloody road rash on both cheeks. I had to supplement with formula when he was 2 months bc I couldn't keep up with his hunger. I noticed he finally started clearing up when he would have formula. when i told him about this he laughed in my face and said "you're saying he is allergic to moms breast milk? ha ha that's funny"-not so funny to me!

sure enough I found out my son was allergic to wheat,eggs and NUTS. he has such sever food allergies that he could go into anaphelitic shock. As soon as I changed pedis, fixed his diet, lubed his cheeks up with aquafor he completely cleared up! Its amazing how doctors will ignore these issues when they are becoming so common and can be so dangerous. You should take your babe to an allergist and ask for a skin test for food allergies. I have researched a lot about food allergies and one site said that most babies with eczema will show food allergies as the cause.Good luck!

And just so you know skin tests can have false positives so do not freak out over the results yet, they will require a blood test to set the allergies in stone and find out how sever they are. Also, children's allergies can changed till the age six. they can gain new ones or loose old ones. The age 6 is when you really know what you are dealing with for life. Hope this helps!