Eczema and Allergies - Ways to Conquer Your Eczema

Some 30 million people deal with the dry, itchy, rashy patches caused by eczema—and for many, the root cause is an unknown food allergy, says Cates. The connection: "When you encounter an allergen, your body's immune response is amped up, causing inflammation," she says. This process leads to the release of histamines (chemical neurotransmitters) throughout body tissues, which can lead to eczema eruptions.

If you have eczema, Cates suggests keeping a food dairy to pinpoint sensitivities. "The biggest offenders are dairy, gluten, soy, and peanuts," she says. "Cow's milk is probably the most common one." If you have a hunch certain foods may be a problem but you can't figure out which, see an allergist for testing.

A red, itchy rash will often get you a diagnosis of contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction that occurs when an irritant—a new laundry detergent, a cleaning product—touches your skin. But sometimes those bumps can indicate something more serious: undiagnosed celiac disease, an autoimmune condition in which ingesting gluten damages the small intestine, says Peterson.

Dermatitis herpetiformis, a stinging, blistering rash that tends to show up on knees, buttocks, elbows, lower back, and scalp, affects 15 to 25% of celiac sufferers—even those with no digestive symptoms. Here's what's going on: If you have celiac disease and ingest gluten, your immune system responds by releasing a defensive antibody called immoglobulin A (IgA) into the bloodstream. IgA can pool in blood vessels under the skin, causing a rash. The short-term fix usually includes the sulfur-based antibiotic dapsone to stop the itch, but the only long-term solution is a gluten-free diet—one free of grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and triticale, says Peterson. (These delicious, clean packaged foods are all gluten-free.) If you suspect celiac is your issue, make an appointment with a gastroenterologist, who can diagnose the condition through an endoscopy and blood work.