Special diets and eczema: insights from dermatologist Dr. Marissa Joseph
When diagnosed with eczema, it is only natural to try to control symptoms by changing our diet, avoiding triggers, and making lifestyle changes to stop the itch and rash. But can these special or elimination diets actually cure eczema? Sadly, the answer is no.
During our recent webinar series, we asked Toronto-based dermatologist Marissa Joseph, MD, FRCPC to clarify some of these commonly held perceptions around special diets and eczema.
Dr. Joseph compassionately shared the following: “In general, and I can say this with absolute honesty, in my last 12 years of practice, I have never met anyone who felt that a diet had cured their eczema.”
While we wish the way to cure eczema was as simple as changes to the foods we eat, sadly this just isn’t the case. Further, special diets can sometimes do more harm than good, as cutting out food groups can mean no longer getting the nutrients and vitamins our bodies need to remain healthy. This is especially true among children and babies, where their diet plays a critical role in their development.
So why do we hear about special diets in the first place? Well, for some eczema sufferers, they may have a specific food intolerance or allergy that can trigger a flare, which can make the relationship between food and eczema a complex one. If you have any questions about your or your child’s diet and how it relates to their eczema symptoms, ESC recommends speaking with a qualified health care provider like a dermatologist or allergist, for help and a personalized treatment plan.
Eczema Society of Canada (ESC) thanks Marissa Joseph, MD, FRCPC, for sharing her expertise during ESC’s March 2022 Life with Eczema virtual event series and on this content. Funding for the Life with Eczema Winter 2022 event series was generously provided by Pfizer Canada and Sanofi Genzyme, a division of sanofi-aventis Canada Inc.
Disclaimer: Information provided in this resource does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be used as a diagnostic tool. The information is up-to-date at time of publication. All medications, interventions, and treatment plans have risks and benefits, and it is important that individuals discuss their or their child’s specific health care needs with a qualified health care professional.
March 2022
