Eczema Bulletin, Issue #010 - Breastfeeding and Eczema

Welcome to May's edition of the Eczema Bulletin e-zine, and thank you for subscribing.

This is the 10th 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

• May's Featured Article – Breastfeeding and Eczema
• My favourite eczema news article
• Tip of the Month
• 5 Ways To.....add essential fatty acids to your body

Featured Article - Breastfeeding and Eczema

Experts say that a bottle fed baby may develop a milk allergy. One of the symptoms of this can be eczema.

In the past it has been recommended that mothers should breastfeed for at least 6 months before beginning to wean onto solid food. It was said that this would lower the chance of a child developing eczema.

Numerous studies on this have been carried out in the last few years. The biggest recent study was of over 50,000 children from 21 countries. Researchers looked to see if a child who is just being breastfed for 4 months and more, was more likely to develop eczema. The child had no formula milk or solid food in that time.

The results of this study concluded that breastfeeding for the first 4 months or more, was unlikely to make the chance of a child developing eczema, any lower.

This definitely doesn’t to say that breast milk isn’t beneficial to a baby. It is known to have the most nutritional value to an infant. It is full of the nutrients needed.

As some mothers are unable to breastfeed, or choose not to, this is good news. It means that if their child is affected by eczema, then there is no reason to feel guilty. Eczema can be triggered by many things, even genetics, which nobody has control over.

Eczema News Article

4-6 July, at Olypmia, London 25-26 October, at BT Convention Centre, Liverpool

There are hundreds of stalls, where you can try and buy many products. You can also talk to very knowledgable people about your concerns, and ask all the questions you want!

There is also a section to help teach children about allergies, and how they can live with them.

You can also attend free talks from experts about certain conditions, including eczema.

For more details, and to find out how to get free tickets, go to the show's website, and select which show you would like tickets for.

Live outside the UK?

If you live outside the UK, here are some details about exhibitions in other areas.

USA - Gluten and Allergy Free Expo There are some in several cities in the US. This site lists them

Germany – It has just been accounced that an Allergy and Free From show will be held in Berlin in January 2015. There is currently no link to the event at present, but I will let you know when I know :)

New Zealand - Gluten Free Food and Allergy Show It has a list of exhibitions going on in 2014 and 2015

I will keep you up-to-date of any upcoming exhibitions or shows, in other areas. If you know of any, please let me know, as I have plans to create a page on the website to let people know of any events coming up

Tip Of The Month - Beware Of Products Claiming To Cure Eczema

There is no known cure for eczema. There are ways that you can manage it and treat a flare up. This makes it possible for you to control it. But you will always be susceptible to it. This is why it is so important to look after yourself, and your skin. Preventing an outbreak is so much better than having to treat it.

These 'miracle cures' are well marketed. They play on your fears and worries. They can come in a box, in a tube or in a book. They promise to change your life, and get rid of your eczema. The only thing you may end up getting rid of, is some money out of your pocket!

I’m all for trying new things to help with the management of eczema. But anything you want to try, you should always look into first. Any product that seems too good to be true, normally is.

5 Ways To.......add essential fatty acids to your body

1. Eat oily fish. The best fish sources of EFA are sardines, mackerel and salmon. It is recommended that you eat a portion of oily fish twice a week. There are so many tasty recipes to choose from, that contain any of these fish. My favourite is a kedgeree style dish, made with salmon. Not a conventional kedgeree, but tasty all the same

2. Take supplements. You can get many good sources of EFA, as a supplement. Including oilof evening primrose, fish oil and starflower oil. They come in different strengths. Find out the recommended daily amount for whichever one you decide to take. The stronger strengths tend to be more expensive, but you will not need to take so many in a day. So even if the lesser strengths are cheaper, they may not work out to be over a period of time

3. Add certain oils to your day. Flaxseed, canola and olive oil are great sources of EFA. Virgin olive oil is great to cook with. Extra virgin olive oil, and other oils can be added to salads, or used as a dressing.

4. Nuts and seeds are also a great source of essential fatty acids. Brazil nuts have a high content. You can eat a handful a day, around 5. Sesame and pumpkin seeds are also a good choice. You can also eat these as they are. Though adding them to porridge and yoghurt is a great way to get them into your diet

5. Alternative vegetarian options are also available. If you are vegetarian, or allergic to fish oil, then flaxseed oil is a good choice. You can ground some up to put in food. They are particularly tasty in a smoothie. Another way to take it is to have a tablespoon a day. If you decide to take supplements, check they are suitable for vegetarians. Some capsules contain gelatine, so are unsuitable

Keeping Up-To-Date With What is Eczema

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The June edition of Eczema Bulletin will include

• June's Featured Article – How Eczema Is Genetic
• My favourite news item of the month
• Tip of the Month
• 5 ways to.....eat wheat free

Hope you enjoyed May's Eczema Bulletin, and thanks for reading