Eczema and how to soothe it

Eczema is an irritating and annoying skin condition affecting millions of people in North America. If your red, raw skin is screaming for relief, try the helpful suggestions below.

• Eczema is an inflammatory, noncontagious skin condition. It causes itching, flaking, dryness and often redness.
• Sometimes small blisters will form and when they burst, the surface of the skin may be left moist and irritated. Persistent scratching of the skin in affected areas can subsequently result in scaly, rough and thickened patches.
• There are various forms of eczema, with atopic dermatitis being the most common. It's estimated that 15 million to 20 million adults and children in North America suffer from atopic dermatitis.
• Eczema often appears in the folds of the skin where your limbs bend, such as the elbows and knees, but it can also appear anywhere on the body. Scratch­ing can worsen eczema and cause it to spread.

• Those with a family history of allergies to foods, pollen, dust mites and animal dander are more susceptible to eczema.
• Disturbances in proper immune response (how the body reacts to irritating or infectious substances) may be a contributing factor. Many eczema sufferers have above-normal levels of histamine, a chemical in the body that triggers an allergic defense reaction in the skin (resulting in inflammation) when it's released.
• Eczema, particularly atopic dermatitis, has also been associated with asthma and hayfever—athough the exact relationship is unclear.

Flare-ups

• Flare-ups of eczema are linked to anxiety and stress, and extremes in the weather. Those with dry skin are more vulnerable to eczema outbreaks.

• One of the triggers, as well as a consequence, of eczema is dryness—which may, in part, be relieved by foods rich in beta-carotene, vitamin E and essential fatty acids.
• Immune-system abnormalities have been noted in some people who have eczema, and it is sensible for these people (as well as those with a family history of allergies, asthma and eczema) to eat immune-enriching foods that are high in zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E.

Vitamin A: appears to have a favourable effect upon cell growth and maturation. Preliminary studies indicate that beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) may protect the skin from free-radical stress.

Essential fatty acids: Foods rich in essential fatty acids may decrease swelling by helping to generate hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation.

Vitamin E: has antioxidant properties that may shield cells from free-radical damage and help to promote skin healing.

Vitamin C: may also be instrumental in reducing the release of histamine, an inflammatory compound released by the body in response to allergens. As the immune system's response to allergens triggers release of histamine, consuming foods that function as natural antihistamines, such as those rich in vitamin C as well as the flavonoids quercetin and luteolin, may inhibit this inflammatory reaction. Vitamins C and E operate as robust antioxidants and help to defend against free-radical damage.

• A recent small study suggests that drinking 800 millilitres (three cups) of oolong tea daily may relieve symptoms associated with eczema.
• As eczema is believed to be an allergy-related skin disorder, the study authors speculate that polyphenols in the tea may suppress allergic responses by acting as antioxidants.

• Carrots
• Mangos
• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes
• Fatty fish
• Flaxseed
• Vegetable oils
• Avocados
• Broccoli
• Sunflower seeds
• Tomato juice
• Beans
• Poultry
• Seeds
• Whole grains