Question:I am expecting my first baby and as an allergy sufferer (I suffer from atopic eczema and hay fever) I know my baby is at higher risk of getting allergies too. Are there any changes that I can make to my diet during pregnancy that can reduce the risk of my baby developing an allergy?

Sharron, Isle of Wight

Answer: It is a common and very understandable worry that if you have allergies, you may pass them on to your baby. While genetic factors probably make a child more susceptible to developing eczema and hay fever as well as asthma, there are also a number of environmental factors, including in some cases certain foods, which may cause them to be triggered.

It is rarely an intolerance to a food alone that pulls this trigger and there is no good evidence that cutting out a raft of foods such as dairy, eggs and wheat while pregnant will give your child any protection. That said, if you have benefited from excluding foods such as dairy yourself, then it would be wise to continue with this, although it is vital that your diet is not compromised nutritionally in any way. Try asking your GP to refer you to a registered dietitian to be sure that your diet is up to scratch if excluding any food groups.

One interesting development in the area of inherited allergies is in the world of probiotics or “good bacteria”. Preliminary research shows that women who have at least one close relative or partner with atopic eczema, asthma or hay fever who took a particular probiotic known as Lactobacillus rhamnosus while pregnant and while breast-feeding helped to reduce the chances of their “at risk” children developing these allergies.

During the first days after birth, a baby’s immune system can switch to being either allergy-prone or non-allergy prone. Researchers have suggested that which way it switches could be influenced by the type of good bacteria you eat and pass on via the placenta and breast milk.

More research needs to be done, but it may be worth trying a supplement called Vinalac which contains this particular type of good bacteria (as well as vitamins and minerals, including the 400 micrograms of folic acid that every pregnant woman should take daily). Check it out at www.probiotics4infanthealth. com.

One more point to consider is that serious allergies to nuts and nut products and some seeds affect about 1 to 2 per cent of people in the UK. Your baby may be at higher risk of developing a nut allergy if you or the baby’s father, brothers or sisters have certain allergic conditions such as hay fever, asthma and/or eczema. If your baby is in this higher-risk group, you may wish to avoid eating peanuts and peanut products when you’re pregnant and breast-feeding.

Some studies have questioned this advice, however, suggesting that it could make them even more prone to problems. The Food Standards Agency is carrying out a review of all the research to date and will decide on whether this advice needs updating, so I would check with your GP before taking any action.

If you have nutrition questions for Amanda, e-mail her at amandaursell@thetimes.co.uk

Beating allergies: how to lower the chances

If you as parents and any other of your children do not have eczema, asthma or hay fever, there is a 1 in 10 chance that your baby could develop it. If only one parent has these allergies, there is a 1 in 4 chance. If both parents, there is a 1 in 2 chance. Visit www.eczema.org for more information.

To include probiotics in your baby’s diet, try a follow-on milk that contains them. Also a probiotic bacteria, in the form of The Organic Pharmacy’s Strawberry Probiotic Powder, can be mixed into it A Dutch study from 2007 suggests that mothers who drink organic milk during pregnancy and while breast-feeding can help their babies to beat eczema, asthma and related allergies. The conditions can also be kept at bay if children drink organic milk themselves.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that drinking (and bathing in) soft water helps to reduce the severity of eczema. Research is underway at Nottingham University to prove this and whether or not it could benefit babies.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/expert_advice/article4272123.ece

Baby Eczema, also known as infantile seborrheic eczema or more commonly cradle cap , is a common condition affecting babies less than one year old. Baby eczema is quite often triggered by numerous food allergies. Around 40% of the babies that have eczema also suffer from some form of food allergy. Baby eczema is an often itchy rash that forms on the scalp, face, under the ears and neck.

Baby eczema is easily recognizable because the infant wants to scratch itself owing to the red, scaly skin on their face, arms and legs and is the most common form, known as atopic eczema. Whilst atopic eczema is often found in family groups, a child can often have this condition flare up when their skin has not been kept moisturized.

Common treatment for baby eczema include antihistamines and mild steroids to reduce inflammation. However, if your baby condition is not severe, there are some natural steps you can take to provide some relief to your baby:

- Bath baby in luke warm water with bath oil to help baby’s skin to retain moisture. Do not rub your baby’s skin, just pat dry gently. After bath, apply moisturizer on your baby to keep her skin moist. I like to use Franch Oil which was recommended by an Indian friend. What I like about the oil is that it is 100% natural made from Indian Ayurvedic herbs. I have been using this oil for my son for almost 6 months now and my son finds it soothing. His skin stays moisturize for a longer time.

- Avoid harsh laundry detergents for washing your baby’s clothes and diapers. Use only mild, natural and fragrance free detergent for your baby’s clothes.

- Natural calendula and jojoba oil soften and add extra moisture. Aloe and vitamins A, D and E help nurture skin and help irritated skin to heal. It is important to understand that to take care of Baby’s skin the most natural way is often best.

- Try using Pure Castile Liquid Soap - Aloe Vera Baby Mild for your baby’s bath. Aloe vera bath is especially gentle and moisturizing. Aloe and vitamins A, D and E help nurture skin and retain your baby’s natural moisture. Another baby wash which is recommended is Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Washcontains lavender and chamomile to help calm and relax your baby during bath time.

- You probably heard this a million times, breastfeed your baby until at least his baby eczema reduces. Try avoid any allegenic food such as wheat, nuts and seafood in your diet. When a baby with eczema is being introduced to new foods it should be done slowly and one food at a time.

These are just a little steps which you can help your baby cope with baby eczema. Continue the gentle skin care routine and her eczema will improve in time. When your child is at least 2 years, you can try aloe vera supplements which is known to boost your child’s immune system. A healthy child is the first and most important step to an eczema free life.

Click here to learn how aloe vera can help heal eczema.

Daily supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may improve symptoms of eczema, according to the results of a new trial. Measures of eczema improved by about 23 per cent over eight weeks after consuming the DHA supplements, and this was associated with significant reductions in levels of markers of inflammation, according to results published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

“With this randomised, double-blind, controlled trial we show that an 8-week supplementation with 5.4 g daily of the n-3 PUFA DHA led to a significant clinical improvement of atopic eczema compared with baseline scores,” wrote the researchers, led by Margitta Worm from Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin.

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA, have been identified as one of the super-nutrients taking the food and supplements industry by storm. Much of its healthy reputation that is seeping into consumer consciousness is based largely on evidence that it can aid cognitive function and may help protect the heart against cardiovascular disease.

The new study indicates that the fatty acids may also have potential for people with atopic eczema, although the researchers state the small sample size and modest effects require supporting evidence from additional trials.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis (AD), is one of the first signs of allergy during the early days of life and is said to be due to delayed development of the immune system. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists it affects between 10 to 20 per cent of all infants, but almost half of these kids will ‘grow out’ of eczema between the ages of five and 15.

Click Here to Read More on the Study

BENEFITS OF EATING STRAWBERRIES:

# Nature’s alternative to Botox: Strawberries are your skin’s best friend, packed full of anti-ageing antioxidants. Not only do the nutrients improve circulation to the skin which results in a youthful and attractive glow, they protect against sun damage, one of the major culprits for premature ageing of the skin.

# Burn fat and lose weight: Strawberries are one of the top fat-burning foods. If you want to lose weight ensure that berries are part of your daily diet. A large 300g punnet of strawberries has the same GL (glycaemic load) - the same effect on your blood sugar and weight - as one single date, ten raisins or one third of a banana.

# Get some attention during all that summer sport: Feed your man British berries and reap the benefits. Zinc-rich strawberries will help to keep his libido in peak condition, meaning you’ll both be happy during the month of June. Zinc is also essential for healthy sperm, so if you’re hoping to get pregnant then strawberries and raspberries are a conception boost.

# Put a stop to sugar cravings: Berries contain the slowest-releasing natural sugars, meaning that you’ll be less tempted by that mid-morning chocolate bar and less likely to suffer from mid-afternoon burn-out.

# Increase vitality: Berries have the lowest glycaemic load rating which means they give you a consistent energy level. Reaching for sugar-laden goodies is the energy equivalent of a yo-yo - your body goes into overdrive, a quick peak followed by a sharp slump. Eat berries by the handful, summer and winter, to keep your blood sugar on an even keel.

Additionally, psychologists have proved that red fruit sends energy-boosting messages to the brain. Give yourself a wake-up call by eating strawberries.

# No more hangover hell: Rich in phytonutrients, berries promote effective liver function; great news for detoxing with the added benefit of making hangovers less painful and more short-lived.

# Boost your immune system: Packed with folic acid and Vitamin C, berries have the highest antioxidant power of any fruit - giving a powerful boost to your immune system and helping your body fight off infection. Five strawberries contain more antioxidant power than three apples or four bananas, and more Vitamin C than an entire orange.

# Reduce the risk of cancer: Berries contain a number of powerful anti-cancer nutrients not found in any vitamin pill. Strawberries have been shown to inhibit development of cervical, oesophageal and oral cancer.

# Alleviate allergies: Fed up with applying steroid creams and/or puffing on an inhaler? The high quercitin content in strawberries can bring respite for eczema and asthma sufferers.

# Improve memory: Berries are your brain’s best friend, not only because of their high antioxidant status but also because they are the best fruit source of folic acid. Extra intake of folic acid can reverse memory decline and sharpen concentration.

Source: http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2333863.mostviewed.strawberry_fields_forever.php

Once the little ones come along, you may need to think long and hard about your housing locale, particularly if allergies are in your genetic makeup. A new study is showing that traffic-related pollution could be responsible for increasing the risk of allergy and atopic diseases (chronic skin diseases) by more than 50 percent in children.

The lead author of the research that was conducted, Joachim Heinrich, Ph.D., of the German research Center for Environment and Health at the Institute of Epidemiology said, “[Children] living very close to a major road are likely to be exposed not only to a higher amount of traffic-derived particles and gases but also to a more freshly emitted aerosols which may be more toxic. [The study's] findings provide strong evidence for the adverse effects of traffic-related air pollutants on atopic diseases as well as on allergic sensitization.” The results of this study were published in the second issue for June 2008 of the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Medicine.
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