Dec

9

Maintain A Food Diary To Track Eczema Triggers

Filed Under Eczema Prevention, Eczema Triggers | Leave a Comment

If you wish to determine if any food is triggering your eczema flare up, consider maintaining a diary. A food diary helps you keep track of what you are eating and to uncover causes and effects. Additionally, you can also find ways to improve your diet, so as to strengthen your immune system. If your diet is too acidic, you can maintain records of fruits and vegetables that you need to eat in order to up your alkaline ratio.

You can use a spreadsheet for a food diary or any electronic means for journal taking. Obviously, the more details that you take down, the easier it is to observe patterns. If you do it via a spreadsheet, you can even draw out charts to notice trends. You will need to know how many calories, carbs, fats, proteins, etc., that you are eating on a daily basis, so you will need someway of measuring the food you eat. Measurement tools that you require include a kitchen scale, measuring cups and measuring spoons.

Also, some basic knowledge about what makes up good nutrition helps. Consider visiting your local library to borrow a book on this subject. Knowing how to read nutrition labels on the foods that you purchase is also necessary.

On the first page of your food diary, take down your starting point. The information you should write down include what your starting weight and height is and what your goals are in terms of improving the condition of your skin. Make your goals measurable and more exciting eg. to be able to wear a mini skirt to show off your previously skin infected legs is a good incentive!!

The diary is a record of ALL of the foods you eat each day. Hence you need to record not just some of the food, but all the meals and snacks taken. Also, include details on all beverages and liquids that you take.

Nov

18

Shellfish Allergy: Prevention Tips

Filed Under Eczema Prevention, Eczema Treatment, Food Allergy | Leave a Comment

My eczema starts to flareup whenever I eat shellfish. Hence I no longer enjoy going to seafood restaurants as much as before when I was unaware that I had shellfish allergy. Fortunately, shellfish is easier to avoid, compared to nuts and soy. So I am thankful for that. However, a shellfish allergy can potentially lead to life-threatening reactions so I need to be constantly mindful not to give in to my cravings. I have read that shellfish allergy can produce anaphylaxis if I am not careful.

I no longer eat or serve shellfish at home. In fact, I suspect that my daughters will not take to this food well. I would much rather err on the side of caution.

In a restaurant, there is always the risk of cross contamination. So if you have a severe shellfish allergy, you must let the cook know before hand about potential problems while ordering your meal. Shellfish can be used as an ingredient for soups, gravies and sauces; so you need to keep a lookout for these as well.

Other types of restaurants in the high risk group include Cajan and Chinese ones. Many of their dishes are centered on shellfish such as shrimp, lobster and crab. It sounds prohibitive and that you cannot order freely what you would like to eat. However, avoiding shellfish when you have an allergy to it is by far the best prevention method. It really pays to be careful, in the light of the eczema skin reactions that you can possibly come down with.

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