Karen Klickmann(847) 240-1735[email protected]
Jennifer Gale (847) 240-1730[email protected]
Julie Bremer(847) 240-1743[email protected]
WHAT'S EATING YOU? NEW RESEARCH FINDS LINK BETWEEN DIET AND CONTACT DERMATITIS
SCHAUMBURG, ILL. (September 24, 2001) - The next time you're in line at a fast food restaurant and hear someone ask to "hold the tomato," you may not realize that there might be more to this request than a simple dislike of tomatoes. A recent study found that avoiding certain balsam-related foods and spices - including tomatoes - can improve a common dermatologic condition known as contact dermatitis.
"While food allergies may be quite common, they can be difficult to detect since most diets include a number of different types of foods and spices that may change on a daily basis," stated dermatologist Joseph F. Fowler, MD, co-author of "Balsam-related Systemic Contact Dermatitis" published in the September 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. "We found that by eliminating foods from the diet that are linked to flare-ups of contact dermatitis, people in our study showed a significant improvement in their condition."
Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition that produces redness and itching. In this retrospective study, patients with suspected systemic contact dermatitis from balsam-related foods and spices were patch tested and placed into one of three groups. Each group was determined by the patient's positive reactions to the foods and spices identified as allergens.
Patients in groups A and B, the groups that followed the balsam of Peru restricted diet, avoided foods such as tomatoes, products containing citrus fruits, spices, colas and chocolate. Balsam of Peru is a natural plant extract derived from wounding the tree Myroxylon pereira that contains dozens of individual substances, many of which are also found in balsam-related foods. In these groups, patients eliminated all of the foods on the diet list for three to six weeks and then reintroduced one food at a time every one to two days. Patients then noted whether a flare-up occurred and, if so, the patient was thought to have an allergy to that particular food.
Of the 45 total patients in groups A and B that followed the balsam of Peru restricted diet, 21 patients - or 47 percent - reported complete or significant improvement of their dermatitis. The most commonly reported food allergens reported by these patients were tomatoes, citrus, spices - including vanilla - cola/soda, and chocolate. The three most frequently reported sites of dermatitis were the hands, face and anogenital regions.
Patients in group C, while testing positive to balsam/fragrance allergens, did not follow the diet because other allergens were believed to play a greater role in their dermatitis.
"Perhaps the strongest evidence for the importance of a trial of dietary balsam reduction in our study comes from the 14 patients in group A," reported Dr. Fowler. "Of the 10 patients that followed the balsam-restricted diet, all 10 showed complete or significant improvement - whereas only one of the four patients who did not follow the diet reported improvement."
While patients with systemic contact dermatitis may be reluctant to modify their diet so dramatically for at least one month, identifying one to three offending foods can make a significant improvement in their condition.
"No one wants to give up ice cream, spices, flavorings or tomato products - even temporarily," added Dr. Fowler. "But in the long run, patients can resume enjoying foods that they are not sensitive to without worrying about whether these foods will aggravate their condition in the process."
The American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of over 13,000 dermatologists worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the skin; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; supporting and enhancing patient care; and promoting a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the AAD at 1-888-462-DERM or www.aad.org.
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