The Confusing Link Between Eczema and Food Allergies: What You Need to Know
If your child has eczema (atopic dermatitis), you’ve probably wondered:
👉 Is it caused by food allergies?
👉 Will removing certain foods make the eczema go away?
👉 Why does my child’s skin still flare up even after avoiding trigger foods?
You’re not alone—this is one of the most confusing topics for parents of children with eczema. Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Can Food Allergies Cause Eczema?
Yes, if a person has food allergy, eating the trigger food will cause eczema to flare.
About 35% of kids with eczema have food allergies that can make their skin worse.
However, food allergy is NOT the cause of eczema. So avoiding the food allergen will not CURE Eczema.
The most common food allergies causing eczema flares are:
🥛 Milk
🥚 Eggs
🌾 Wheat
🌱 Soy
🥜 Peanuts
These five foods account for 75% of food-related eczema flare-ups. When a child is allergic, eating these foods can trigger inflammation in the skin, leading to an eczema flare.
But here’s where it gets tricky…
Eczema Can Cause Food Allergies, Too!
This is the part most parents don’t realize. Eczema itself can increase the risk of developing food allergies.
💡 Here’s how it happens:
1️⃣ The skin barrier is damaged – Eczema weakens the skin, making it more prone to irritation and infection.
2️⃣ Allergens enter through the skin – If a child’s skin is inflamed and exposed to allergens in the environment (like food particles or dust), their immune system may overreact.
3️⃣ The immune system learns to attack certain foods – Over time, this can lead to a food allergy—sometimes before the child even eats that food!
This means that if eczema isn’t well-managed, a child is at higher risk of developing new food allergies over time.
Why Just Avoiding the Food Won’t Cure Eczema
Many parents assume that if they remove the allergic food, their child’s eczema will disappear. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
- Food is just one trigger. Even if food plays a role, other factors like weather, skincare products, stress, and infections can still cause flares.
- Eczema is a chronic skin condition. It’s not just an allergic reaction—it’s an inflammatory disorder that needs proper treatment.
- The skin barrier needs to be repaired. Without the right skincare routine, the skin remains dry and vulnerable, increasing the risk of new allergies.
So what should parents do?
How to Manage Eczema AND Food Allergies
To keep your child’s eczema under control, you need a multi-step approach:
✅ 1. Get an Allergy Evaluation
Not every child with eczema has a food allergy, so it’s important to see an Allergist for proper testing instead of guessing.
✅ 2. Identify and Remove Food Triggers (If Needed)
If a food allergy is confirmed, your Allergist will guide you on how to safely eliminate it while ensuring your child still gets proper nutrition.
✅ 3. Repair the Skin Barrier
- Use fragrance-free moisturizers multiple times a day to lock in hydration.
- Look for creams or moisturizers like NatureDr8 that are designed for eczema to help restore the skin.
- Avoid harsh soaps and long, hot baths that strip the skin of natural oils.
✅ 4. Reduce Overall Inflammation
- Follow prescribed medications like topical steroids or non-steroidal creams to calm the skin.
- Consider probiotics (like Duoflora!) which may help improve gut health and immune function.
- Protect against environmental triggers like dust mites, pet dander, and extreme temperatures.
✅ 5. Reintroduce Foods at the Right Time
Here’s the good news: With Proper Treatment, many children can outgrow food allergies within 1-3 years!
But it must be done safely and under medical supervision. An Allergy & Immunology specialist can help determine when your child is ready to try foods again through an oral food challenge in a controlled setting.
Information You Can Use:
- Food allergies and eczema are linked, but avoiding food alone won’t cure eczema.
- Eczema itself can increase the risk of developing new food allergies.
- A proper skincare routine + medical treatment is essential for managing eczema.
- With proper treatment many kids can outgrow food allergies, but reintroducing foods should be done with an Allergist’s guidance.
If your child has eczema that isn’t improving or you suspect a food allergy is making it worse, talk to an Allergy Specialist. Getting expert advice can make a world of difference in helping your child feel better and enjoy clearer, healthier skin.
