Food Allergies andEczema

[Kathryn]

My son is 12 and has suffered with severe eczema since he was an infant. Last fall, his allergist suggested that we test him again for wheat, soy, and dairy allergies. He is already allergic to peanuts, shellfish, and salmon. The wheat, soy, and dairy tests all came back positive. She said they may be false positives because his immune system is so wacky with the eczema. The only way to know for sure was to eliminate them and see what happens. Well, to make a long story short, it has changed our lives!! His skin has never been better. He used to wake up in the morning after a night of scratching...exhausted, bloody, and in tears. I am sure many of you can relate to this. He has missed so much school because of his eczema. SInce following the new "diet", he has not missed any school and is sleeping so much better. His skin is so clear. I have never seen it look this way! He can even wear short sleeves now (something he has not felt comfortable doing in a long time).
Following such a restricted diet is a challenge but it is so worth it! We have been able to let him "cheat" here and there and he seems to tolerate that ok.
The eczema is still there but VERY mild now and if he would be more compliant with moisturizing, would probably be mostly gone.
Anyway, I just wanted to put that out there in case it can help anyone else. We have been to so many dermatologists and none of them ever mentioned a possibility that his eczema could be caused by a food allergy (I think wheat is the main culprit).
By the way, his allergy testing for wheat, soy, and dairy several years came back negative, so getting retested may give a different result.

[Marcie Mom]

So good to hear! Allergy testing can be done again as kids' immune system changes.

I've asked a pediatrician that specializes in allergy questions on allergy test, see link below:
http://eczemablues.com/2012/05/friday-d ... rgy-tests/

Next friday Q&A will cover elimination diet, do check back. And congrats again, for finding the trigger )