Atopic eczema is the most common inflammatory skin disease of childhood in developed countries.The study authors performed a systematic review of 9 randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of dietary exclusions in atopic eczema:
- 6 studies of egg and milk exclusion
- 1 study of few foods
- 2 studies of an elemental diet
There was no benefit of either diet in unselected cases of atopic eczema
There may be some benefit of egg-free diet in infants with suspected egg allergy who have positive specific IgE to eggs (51% improvement in body surface area).
The authors concluded that despite their frequent use, there was little evidence to support the use of exclusion diets in atopic eczema.
References:
Dietary exclusions for improving established atopic eczema in adults and children: systematic review. Bath-Hextall F, Delamere FM, Williams HC. Allergy. 2009 Feb;64(2):258-64.
Related reading:
The long history of dieting fads: "soap should be eaten for its diuretic properties", wrote a prominent surgeon in 1810. Lancet, 2012.
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