Sep

16

Eat Less Stress Inducing Foods To Reduce Eczema Flare Ups

Filed Under Eczema Treatment, Eczema Diet | Leave a Comment

Eczema is a condition that is often made worse by stress. Stress can be triggered by a variety of situations ranging from work issues to family problems. It causes you reactions when you find yourself unable to cope. However, there are also times when stress is caused by the very food that you consume. This form of food-induced stress introduces toxins into your body. It is very capable of wrecking havoc to your emotions, thus increasing your desire to scratch yourself for the relief of your stress.

Here are some foods that can cause stress when you eat too much of them:

Caffeine. I use to take cups of coffee to keep myself awake. Coffee is after all a well known stimulant. However, instead of helping in stress relief, it is only a temporary solution by far. Stimulants have the effect of getting you hooked.

Sweets. Sweets, like candy, chocolates and ice-cream, are food items that give you a temporary boost in energy. What you may not realize is that after the sugar rush wears off, you come crashing down. You become more irritable than before.

Potato Chips. Potato chips are another stress-inducing snack item. Most potato chips contain a lot of salt, which can make you dehydrated and retain water. The more uncomfortable you start to feel, the more stress starts to come on. Choose less-salty snacks, like low salt pretzels or even a low salt version of your favorite potato chip.

French Fries. Junk food is stress inducing and poor in its nutritional components. When your body does not get enough of the necessary minerals and nutrients it needs, its chances of being able to handle stress are lowered.

Junk food typically is cooked in lots of oil. The grease can cause stomach or digestion distress, which will most certainly cause stress in those who end up suffering from it. Avoid them as much as possible or limit your intake of them.

Sep

9

An Understanding of Food Allergens

Filed Under Food Allergy | Leave a Comment

Eczema can be triggered by the consumption of food allergens. Although this is a view that my medical doctor did not generally choose to believe in, my naturopathic doctor said otherwise. I prefer to think that it does; at least in my case. I have noticed my skin having the tingling feeling whenever I go for a seafood dinner or eat sambal.

A food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the immune system. Symptoms like gas, bloating, and tummy upset do not constitute allergic reactions. Such a reaction is thought to not involve the immune system and is called food intolerance.

It is critical for you to determine whether or not you have food allergies. Avoiding eating food allergens is easy if you think about having perfect skin or not suffering from other adverse allergic reactions. Some foods can cause severe illness and, in some cases, a life threatening allergic reaction which can constrict airways in the lungs, severely lower blood pressure, and cause suffocation by the swelling of the tongue or throat.

What is good news that increasingly, food manufacturers and consumer groups are working with the Federal Drug Administration to raise public awareness of the seriousness of food allergen reactions and to ensure that allergens are appropriately labeled in food products.

Diagnosing a food allergy can be a challenge for most doctors. You may also need to first do an elimination diet. Detailed history and note taking is required for a complete assessment. The doctor may also want to confirm his diagnosis by the more objective skin tests, blood tests, or food challenges. Usually these tests are not cheap. However, the benefits of having this information is priceless!

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