Eczema Bulletin, Issue #024 - Eczema and Whey Protein
Welcome to July's edition of the Eczema Bulletin e-zine, and thank you for subscribing.
This is the 24th edition of Eczema Bulletin. It will bring you articles and news about eczema, and also any updates to what-is-eczema.com. If you would like to add any suggestions for articles or news, or even add your own then I would love to hear from you
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This month's Eczema Bulletin includes
- July's Featured Article – Eczema and Whey Protein
- My favourite eczema news article
- Tip of the Month
- 5 Ways To.....have eczema friendly holidays
Eczema and Whey Protein
Whey protein is commonly known to be used as powder by athletes and bodybuilders, and it is also used as a food supplement.
It is beneficial because it contains all of the 9 essential amino acids. Because of this it is referred to as a complete protein.
There are mixed views on whether whey protein is beneficial to eczema.
On the positive side it has been noted that when a child consumes it then it can reduce the likelihood of the child developing eczema. It is also reported to work the same way, reducing the risk of allergies.
On the other side, when someone with eczema uses whey protein for any reason it can make the symptoms worse. I have read numerous stories of people who start taking whey protein and their eczema symptoms get worse and spread.
One reason for this happening could be if someone has an allergy to dairy or lactose. Milk is full of different proteins, but the two most common are whey and casein. Whey powder is
made from what is left over when milk is made into cheese. It doesn't cause as many allergies as casein, but if you are sensitive to whey then using whey protein may trigger some symptoms.
If you decide to try whey powder, especially if you have eczema, keep an eye out for new symptoms and flare ups. If you notice a change and suspect that it could be the issue you could look at having an allergy test or find a dairy free alternative.
Eczema News Article
Chinatoday.com has reported that a 5 year old boy from the UK who suffers from severe eczema, has gained a lot of support from around the world, including China.
Morgan Bishop's skin is so sore that he has trouble walking. On his 5th birthday he said to his mum that he'd rather die than suffer anymore pain.
The story reached China and people used the power of the internet to sent messages of support to him, and to share their own stories. Some even offered him treatments and invited the family to China so that he can have some traditional Chinese medicine.
Morgan's parents are currently fundraising so that they can take him for hydrotherapy treatment in France. They have raised £33,615 in two months, which is great news. Good luck with the treatment Morgan :)
Tip Of The Month - Myths about Eczema
There are quite a few myths about eczema. Some are daft and some can be quite damaging. Here are 5 of the more common misconceptions about eczema.
1. It's contagious. Eczema definitely cant be caught from person to person. There is no risk to being in close contact with an eczema sufferer or from using the same towels. You cant catch eczema. There is more risk for an eczema sufferer being in close contact with someone who is wearing a fragrance that is an allergen to them.
2. There is a cure. Unfortunately no cure has been found for eczema. There are stories of miracle cures and of how people have cured themselves, but these should be taken with a pinch of salt. There maybe ways to reduce a flare up and using certain products could clear the skin, but it doesn't mean that the eczema is gone for good. As soon as you use something that irritants your skin then the symptoms will likely return.
3. It's caused by bad hygiene. This is a ridiculous myth
about eczema. Hygiene has nothing to do with how good or bad your eczema is. When we sweat it can irritate the eczema and make it itchy, but it is not the cause of eczema.
4. Steroids should be avoided. When used correctly and monitored by your doctor topical steroids, alongside emollients, can be an important part of eczema management. It is recommended that you use the lowest strength treatment that you need, and it is applied thinly. Your doctor will monitor your use and prescribe the best cream or ointment for you.
5. Bathing makes it worse. I've heard it be suggested that when you have eczema that you shouldn't bath as much. There's no denying that water can dry out the skin, which can irritate your eczema. We don't need to bathe less, we need to moisturise more. By using the right products, and not soaking for more than 15 minutes, we can limit any damage done to the skin by our bath water.
If you have been told any strange or
bizarre things about eczema that made you think....really?? Please let me know.
