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Co-authored with dermatologist Dr. Clarence De BELILOVSKY, a member of the Mustela expert circle.
Atopic dermatitis and allergies: What foods and ingredients are suitable for babies?
Atopic dermatitis and food allergies are not necessarily linked. Atopic dermatitis usually occurs when dry skin comes into contact with allergens, but this does not mean that food is always the cause (see the atopic dermatitis section ). However, certain foods can indeed cause irritation when in contact with the skin. When food enters the mouth or touches the lips, especially when babies are learning to feed themselves, it can trigger the immune system and cause an flare-up.
The real question is whether atopic dermatitis is directly related to food intolerances or specific food allergies—for example, whether a carrot allergy would cause a baby to have an attack after eating carrots.
There are many different viewpoints at present, and here is the first one we can say:
- If your baby has atopic dermatitis, it's because they have an atopic constitution, where the immune system overreacts to allergens. This can also manifest as conjunctivitis, severe hay fever, or asthma, which are other possible signs of an atopic constitution, besides eczema and food allergies.
Depending on the degree of atopic sensitivity, the same person may experience one or more manifestations that are not directly related to each other. Your child may be allergic to carrots, but instead of experiencing an atopic skin reaction when eating carrots, they may exhibit other symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.).
- When atopic dermatitis is particularly severe, it may be directly related to food allergies.
Eczema, skin reactions and rashes: Beware of highly allergenic foods
If you have any concerns, please consult your family physician, who will recommend that you consult a dermatologist and/or allergist based on your symptoms. After the test results are available, the doctor will determine whether an "elimination diet" is needed, removing certain foods from your baby's diet. The most common allergens include:
- peanut
- milk
- Nuts and Seeds
- corn
- Protein
- Fish, crustaceans, mollusks
- chocolate
More importantly, based on your baby's age and dietary diversity, your doctor will tell you how to replace these foods to maintain the same nutritional value so that your child can still enjoy delicious meals!
