Eczema Affects Many Children
People who suffer from eczema are prone to have allergies and asthma; happily, many of the
natural treatments that address the eczema have been found to be helpful for these other
conditions. For those who seek out help in identifying food allergies, a new book ''The Super
Allergy Girl Allergy & Celiac Cookbook'' by Lisa A. Lundy will guide them through the process,
and offer practical ways to enjoy favorite dishes, even when many foods need to be excluded.
(Vocus) July 11, 2009 -- An estimated 20 percent of children in developed countries suffer from the scourge of
eczema, and many adults are affected as well. New research shows that those with this skin condition are more
likely than other children to also be labeled as ADHD, having difficulty behaving appropriately and focusing. In
a letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (February 18, 2009) German researcher
Jochen Schmitt and colleagues describe their work that links eczema and ADHD.
Researchers around the world are investigating many different triggers and treatments. Among the likely causes
are: food allergies, environmental allergies, food additives including dyes, sodium benzoate and monosodium
glutamate, hard water, acetaminophen (Tylenol, Datril, Tempra), excessive use of antibacterial soap, and latex
and nickel allergies.
One resource for those dealing with eczema is the Feingold Association, a non-profit support group which helps
families find their favorite foods in more natural versions, free of additives like dyes. The synthetic dyes so
widely used in foods in the United States are created from petroleum; in fact, most of them originate in petroleum
refineries in China. They have been found to trigger symptoms in ADHD in children, and recent research in
Southampton, England shows that they can affect all children, not only those who have a diagnosis of ADHD. As
a result, the British government is calling for the removal of these additives from the food supply and
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