Nut allergy and eczema

[tatoboots]

I am 22 and have had eczema for as long as I can remember, this year I was diagnosed with a nut allergy. Although I do not have a severe allergy, when exposed to nuts my face swells and my skin becomes inflamed and incredibly uncomfortable. I can only treat this reaction with antihistamines. Is there anything I can do to help the skin's reaction?

I in fact had a reaction to nuts on Sunday and am still suffering the consequences with my skin - my face, neck, arms and shoulders are red, inflamed and very itchy.

Thanks for your help!

[ckbridgett]

Hello: that sounds very uncomfortable indeed
Do you mind if I ask: Does your having "eczema as long as you can remember" mean that it is always there, with flare-ups, or that it comes and goes, and in-between time your skin is completely normal, and clear of eczema?
Chronic, or longstanding eczema, which is always there, but flares up from time to time, is linked to the skin being unstable, and unduly sensitive, especially to foods. We find that if the chronic eczema is successfully treated, food reactions can melt away, and sensitivities generally are less troublesome, with less acute flare-ups. Let me know if you want to know more!
But in the meantime, I hope someone can tell you what to do about the reaction, as well as using an anti-histamine. Let's see...

[tatoboots]

Hi, thanks for the reply!

Yes I would say it is longstanding eczema - whilst there are times it is manageable and I only treat it with moisturisers, it is always there and I often have flare-ups which I treat with steroid creams. The flare-ups are just worse with the newly discovered allergy!

[ckbridgett]

Hello again
Thank you for your reply.
You should treat any flare-up of your eczema with extra frequency of moisturisers and use of strong enough topical steroids, for long enough - should resolve in a few days, but continue after "the look good point" to make sure the healing is through-and-through.
Consider too following The Combined Approach to clear up your chronic eczema
See http://www.atopicskindisease.com/articles/Zapping
& http://www.atopicskindisease.com/articles/flareups
Let me know how you get on
http://www.atopicskindisease.com/static/contact