Food Triggering Skin Reactions: Understanding Eczema, Rashes, and More

By Jennifer Roberge, Founder of The Eczema Company

As a mother, watching your child suffer from chronic discomfort is one of the hardest things you can go through. My son, Tristan, battled severe eczema from a very young age. As my family quickly learned, eczema is about more than just dry, itchy skin. His flare ups were triggered by so many things – environmental irritants, stress, and especially food allergies. After years of trial and error, we found out that food reactions on Tristan’s skin could show up in many frustrating ways – from red rashes and hives to worsening eczema.

Our journey to find relief for Tristan was long and exhausting, but it eventually inspired me to create The Eczema Company and YoRo Naturals. I wanted to help other families like ours by offering natural solutions for eczema and other skin sensitivities. After trying so many products that didn’t work or made things worse, I knew how important it was to find gentle, holistic products that really worked.

Importantly, understanding the connection between food and skin health was a game changer for managing Tristan’s eczema. In this post I want to share some of what we learned about how food can trigger skin reactions and what worked for us in managing these challenges – including some of the products that helped Tristan.

The Connection Between Food and Skin Reactions

Food sensitivities can show up on the skin in many ways. From mild rashes to full blown eczema flare ups or hives, the skin has a way of telling us when something is not quite right with our body’s response to certain foods.

In Tristan’s case, we found out that certain foods triggered his eczema making his already sensitive skin even more sensitive. For some people, food related skin reactions may be mild, such as a red itchy patch, but for others, it can mean serious swelling, hives, or even exacerbated eczema.

Types of Food-Related Skin Reactions:

1. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis):  Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting children and adults. Dairy, eggs, soy and wheat are common triggers. For Tristan, even small amounts of certain foods could trigger a flare up. While food isn’t always the direct cause of eczema, it can certainly make it worse.
   
   
2. Hives (Urticaria): These itchy, red welts can appear suddenly after certain foods. The hives may disappear within minutes or linger for hours. Hives themselves aren’t dangerous, but can be a warning sign of a more severe reaction like a food allergy, which requires immediate medical attention. The only time Tristan experienced hives was when he had an anaphylactic reaction to dairy, a known food allergy for him.
   
   
3. Contact Dermatitis: This happens when the skin comes into direct contact with some foods, resulting in localized redness or swelling. Though less common than reactions from ingesting food, it’s still something to keep in mind. Contact dermatitis is more common with non-food items like metals such as nickel or latex. I get contact dermatitis on my fingers under rings if they are made from nickel though I never tested positive to nickel allergy skin prick test.
   
   
4. Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS): If you have pollen allergies, you may notice itching or swelling in the mouth after eating certain raw fruits or vegetables certain times of the year. While OAS itself isn’t usually serious, it can occasionally lead to skin reactions like eczema flare-ups. Tristan’s mouth gets very itchy after eating raw apples in the spring when birch is pollinating.

Eczema and Food: Managing Food Reactions on the Skin

Tristan’s eczema journey was full of ups and downs. Ever since he was a baby, his skin would crack, itch, and turn bright red, especially behind his knees, elbows, and on his face. We spent years trying to figure out what triggered his flare-ups, and it was only after keeping a detailed food diary that we discovered his skin reacted badly to dairy, eggs, and gluten.

If you or your child is experiencing unexplained rashes or worsening eczema, keeping a food diary can be a real game-changer. I know it sounds tedious, but it helped us identify Tristan’s food triggers and get closer to managing his eczema.

Once you know your triggers, the next step is making sure to avoid them, especially when eating out. That’s where Equal Eats comes in. Their food allergy cards make it easy to communicate your allergies to restaurant staff, helping ensure your meal is safe. For families like ours, these cards have been a lifesaver, giving us peace of mind when dining out.

Of course, beyond avoiding food triggers, managing eczema also involves finding skincare solutions that work for sensitive skin. After trying countless products, here are a few we found to be most effective:

Products that Worked for Tristan

Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream: This cream was a lifesaver for Tristan’s eczema. Made from just six ingredients, including organic Manuka honey, it’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. We applied this cream during flare ups and it helped reduce the redness and itching significantly. Plus, it’s free from harsh chemicals which is a priority for us since Tristan’s skin reacts to many commercial products, especially when they contain any form of alcohol.

Remedywear™ Clothing: One of the hardest parts of managing eczema is resisting the urge to scratch, especially at night. Remedywear’s clothing made from TENCEL and Zinc can bring such relief. Not only does the clothing reduce irritation and itchy skin, it also promotes healing and gives skin the protection it needs.

These products, along with others skincare and clothing items I’ve curated from other brands, are also available at The Eczema Company. I’ve handpicked everything based on what worked for Tristan and for other families dealing with eczema.

Steps to Take if You Suspect Food Triggers

If you or a loved one is experiencing food-related skin reactions, here’s what you can do:

1. Consult a Doctor:  A healthcare professional can help determine if food allergies or sensitivities are causing your skin issues. They may recommend an allergy test to identify the trigger.
   
2. Keep a Food Diary: As mentioned earlier, keeping track of what you eat and how your skin reacts can give you valuable insights into food related skin issues.
   
3. Use Allergy Cards: When eating out, using tools like Equal Eats food allergy cards can ensure your meal is safe and free from allergens.
   
4. Choose the Right Skincare Products: Look for gentle, natural skincare solutions that won’t aggravate sensitive skin. As everyone’s skin is different, this may be a process of trial and error until you find what works for you.

The Bottom Line

Food reactions on the skin, whether eczema, hives or contact dermatitis, can be tough – especially when it affects kids. But by eliminating food triggers, using products that soothe and protect the skin, and using tools like Equal Eats’ allergy cards you can make life easier for those with food related skin issues.