Many experts believe that food allergies start when a child is exposed through broken skin commonly seen with eczema, which 1 in 3 babies have to some degree. Instead of being eaten and teaching the immune system to become tolerant, the allergen enters the body the wrong way via the skin and the immune system learns to fight that allergen like an enemy. This goes back to when our skin needed to protect us from real enemies like bacteria, for example when we bathed in dirty rivers. The immune system learns to go into overdrive unnecessarily whenever it sees that allergen through the skin. That’s why our goal is to get those allergens down the GI tract as soon as the baby can eat solids to teach the body that this is just food! No need to go into overdrive!
Eczema is part of the same allergic disease family as food allergies and asthma. 75% of food-allergic children have eczema prior to developing food allergy. If your child has eczema, he or she has a higher chance of developing food allergies, but don’t let this stop you from getting proactive Early & Often™. Instead let it motivate you to get in there, take control, and prevent the allergy before it has a chance to take over. Talk to a pediatric allergist about how to introduce allergens safely with eczema and teach the immune system that food is safe by feeding allergens Early & Often™.
You also may want to see a pediatric allergist for diagnosis, treatment, and advice on how to control it.
If your child has eczema:
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Your child is at higher risk of developing a food allergy. Fight the fear and let this motivate you to protect your child by introducing allergens to the gut in the first year of life from 4-6 months old and keep them in the diet. At this point, feeding allergens Early & Often™ is the easiest and most effective way to achieve fearless eating that studies have shown.
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If your child has eczema that is early onset, persistent, severe, and slow to respond to treatment, these patients carry a higher risk for food allergy. In these cases, you may want to see an allergist to discuss food allergies before introducing any major allergens.
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Talk to your allergist about applying Vaseline to the eczema (especially on the face) before feeding
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Seek a pediatric allergist for advice on how to control the eczema and get allergens in safely
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Moisturize twice a day to get ahead of eczema and apply moisturizer within 5 minutes of getting out of the bath! Use a clean, fragrance free product such as Vaseline that is commonly recommended by experts.
Through the skin allergies may begin; through the diet, allergies can stay quiet!
Eczema: More than a skin condition
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, affects up to 1 in 3 babies and children. It is not only itchy and uncomfortable — it is also the #1 risk factor for developing food allergies and asthma. When the skin barrier is broken, proteins from foods in the environment can seep through, triggering the immune system.
Eczema, food allergies, and asthma are part of the same “allergic family,” often progressing together in what we call the allergic march. If your child has eczema, their chance of developing food allergies is significantly higher — which is why parents should act Early & Often to introduce allergenic foods safely in the first year and continue feeding them regularly for 3-5 years.
What the research shows
As a Pediatric Allergist, I have been treating patients with allergies, eczema and food allergies and researching food allergies for decades. We understand allergens more every day due to landmark studies that many doctors on the GrowHappy ImmunoNutrition Team have lead the charge on:
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In the LEAP study, introducing peanut early and regularly to infants with severe eczema or egg allergies reduced their peanut allergy risk by over 80%
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We’ve also shown in studies that introducing egg early, particularly in infants with eczema, also reduces the chance of developing egg allergy.
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Yet, 25% of children with food allergies had no eczema at all. This is why all infants, not just those with eczema, should have early allergen introduction.
The message is clear: The most proven way to teach the immune system is to eat them early and often.
Always be prepared
Allergic reactions are a common concern. But, the first year of life is the safest time to introduce common allergens, as reactions are milder in infants and often consist of simple hives or vomiting. That said, it’s always better to be over-prepared and have medication on hand. Allergy experts recommend antihistamines such as Children's Zyrtec (Cetirizine), as it is fast-acting and non-drowsy.
Most allergic reactions occur within 30 minutes of eating, and nearly all immediate-tyре (IgE-mediated) allergic reactions are within two hours of consuming the food. If you do see signs of an allergic reaction, stop feeding the food and consult a doctor.
Eczema is not “just skin.” It is a signal to act Early & Often with allergens — protecting the skin, introducing allergens, and giving every child the best chance at a healthier future.
IMPORTANT: Statements made in this article have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is provided as a general information resource only, and nothing in the content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This information in this article is not medical advice, and should not be treated as such. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for any guidance.
