Fasting and eczema

[MilchandCookies]

I have a kind of eczema on my hands that has caused me agony since my early teens. I get attacks of it that can last for six months or so, and then it'll clear up for a while.

I've never found a real cause for the attacks. I've cut out various things (sugar, gluten, dairy) with little success, so have always returned to a "normal" diet. Stress, as well as getting my hands wet, have also been contributors to attacks.

While searching the net for a new idea, I came across people who swear fasting has helped their eczema improve, and some who claim to be cured! It's to do with the gut being damaged by certain types of food, the result beings skin eruptions - i.e. eczema.

They fasted for much longer than our 36-odd hours, but the idea has intrigued me. I've just come back to 5:2 after a longish break. And my skin has improved, although far from clear. I'm noticing that on fast days themselves I barely itch at all.

Has anyone else noticed this? Have I got food intolerances that fasting is helping to heal? (I'm likely eating these foods on non-fast days though, hence it never clears completely? )

[annielostit]

Hi Mitch,
I was questioning this.
I have low immune & thyroid issues. I get spots & have cold sore type dots that become infected on my cheeks plus rosacea. The spots have gone in the last week and I haven't taken the anti virals that I'm supposed to.
Is the process of fasting giving your cells time to clean & heal.
I've only been 5:2 for nearly 3 weeks.
Might making a note of nfd foods and FD foods help, to find out what you might be reacting to?

[MilchandCookies]

Rosacea came up on the list of things that fasting could help. Interesting that is seems to be working for you, too.

I've had itchy hands basically all day (nfd), but spiking shortly after eating each time. It started ten minutes after my first cup of coffee (nooooo), got worse after a gluten-free blondie I'd made for a friend, and continued after lunch (scrambled eggs on brown toast) and dinner (chilli and salad with creme fraiche).

Whereas yesterday I itched in the morning (after coffee, I suppose), and then not at all until the evening after salad (with dressing).

I might have to post on the allergies board in terms of an elimination diet, but would that be fine in conjunction with 5:2?

[BigChocFrenzy]

I've read a couple of scientific papers that have mentioned intermittent fasting often helps skin complaints such as acne.
Fasting can help some hormonal issues and also boost the immune system, hence can clear up some skin flareups and acne related to either of these.

[BigChocFrenzy]

I've read a couple of scientific papers that have mentioned intermittent fasting often helps skin complaints such as acne.
Fasting can help some hormonal issues and also boost the immune system, hence can clear up some skin flareups and acne related to either of these.

[TerrorAustralis]

I think eczema is now thought to be linked to gut health (it seems just about everything is), and fasting is supposed to improve your gut flora. Maybe that is what's going on.

[SeasonalVag]

Guys, I've really sorted my psoriasis by taking optibac extra strength probiotix. Amazon, expensive think c. 50p a day but it's the only thing that's made a substantial difference apart from fasting which I just can't seem to do right now. I'm a convert to the leaky gut theory and a month ago I thought that was nonsense.