Eczema is not the only condition that causes pigmentary changes: they can also be caused by various other skin conditions that someone may have alongside their eczema. Two other common pigmentary skin conditions are melasma and vitiligo, but there are many rarer conditions too.
Skin discoloration can be triggered by a number of causes, including: Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Sometimes a small area of skin becomes irritated, which results in a patch of skin that's lighter in pigment than is the skin around it (pityriasis alba). This is common in children who have eczema.
These patches tend to resolve on their own, but it can take months for your skin to return to its normal color. Eczema pigmentation is often mistaken for scarring.
environmental factors or allergens – such as cold and dry weather, dampness, and more specific things such as house dust mites, pet fur, pollen and moulds. food allergies – such as allergies to cows' milk, eggs, peanuts, soya or wheat. certain materials worn next to the skin – such as wool and synthetic fabrics.
While “eczema” is not mentioned in the SSA Blue Book's list of skin disorders eligible for disability benefits, it is covered under dermatitis. Types of eczema that are eligible for disability benefits include atopic dermatitis, dyshidrotic dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis, among others.
People with eczema are also more likely to develop certain autoimmune diseases, like: Psoriatic arthritis. Sjögren syndrome. Inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
It can run in families, and often develops alongside other conditions, such as asthma and hay fever. The symptoms of atopic eczema often have certain triggers, such as soaps, detergents, stress and the weather. Sometimes food allergies can play a part, especially in young children with severe eczema.
Foods to Avoid if You Have Eczema
Certain foods, including nuts, milk, and wheat, can trigger the release of inflammation-causing T cells and immunoglobulin-E. Other foods that commonly cause eczema flare ups include eggs, dairy, soy, citrus, tomatoes, gluten, and even some spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Anti-inflammatory diet for eczema
Anti-inflammatory diets limit dairy, whole grains, red meat, flour and sugar, but emphasize vegetables and fish. In fact, going vegan (or keeping nearly a fully plant-based diet) is also a good route to take.
Skin changes are caused either by active eczema or by scratching as a result of eczema itch. These changes can result in two types of pigmentary skin changes in eczema: HYPO-PIGMENTATION Loss of skin pigment or colour, usually seen as patches of skin that are lighter than overall skin tone.
Eczema can cause two types of skin pigment changes: hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation. Hypopigmentation is a loss of pigment or color, usually presenting in patches that are lighter than a person's skin tone.
What causes vitiligo? Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease. This type of disease develops when your immune system attacks part of your own body. If you have vitiligo, your immune system attacks cells in your body called melanocytes.
Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.
Vitiligo signs include: Patchy loss of skin color, which usually first appears on the hands, face, and areas around body openings and the genitals. Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard.
Hypopigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo. If the spots are not truly white, but hypopigmented and not depigmented (they don't enhance by Wood's lamp), then they are NOT vitiligo and could be any number of different diseases and conditions.
Potassium-High Foods
Food items such as bananas, avocados and sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, which is another inflammation-fighting component that can help reduce the symptoms of eczema.
Inflammatory foods can trigger an increase in symptoms. Added artificial sugars, trans-fats, processed meat, red meat, refined carbs, and dairy all cause inflammation in the body. Foods containing nickel. Nickel is an ingredient known to encourage symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema.
The fat in avocados is full of Omega-3s, which moisturize the skin and prevent dryness and flakiness (an important benefit for psoriasis and ezcema sufferers).
While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers do know that people develop eczema because of an interaction between genes and environmental triggers. Many people with eczema often report comorbid symptoms of hay fever, allergic asthma and food allergies.
A new study has found a link between eczema and increased autistic traits on the autism spectrum. Australian researchers led by Professor Adam Guastella from the University of Sydney have stated that autism is “often accompanied by skin disorders”.
Anyone can develop eczema. However, if eczema runs in a person's family, then their likelihood of also developing eczema increases. A 2015 study found that the chance of inheriting atopic eczema is approximately 75% . Genes carry the genetic information that contains instructions to make proteins.