Relief from Eczema: My Story with Triggers, Nerve Pain, and Elimination Diets
Eczema affects millions worldwide, and the journey toward relief from eczema is often more complex than simply applying a cream. For many, like myself, true healing comes from identifying internal triggers, especially hidden food sensitivities.
This is my story of navigating eczema, finding unexpected sources of inflammation, and ultimately achieving relief from eczema through an elimination diet. If you’re battling unexplained symptoms and want to explore natural healing options, I hope my experience brings clarity and hope.
Understanding Eczema and the Need for Real Relief
Eczema isn’t just a surface issue. It’s a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes redness, dryness, intense itching, and sometimes pain. For my daughter, eczema showed up as a rash on her chin and the inside of her elbows and knees. My great-niece struggles with patches on her buttocks. In my case, the condition was far more aggressive.
At its worst, I had full-body flare-ups. My skin didn’t just itch—it burned, stung, tingled, and sharp pains. My hands and face bore the brunt of the inflammation, and the nerve pain felt like fire crawling beneath my skin. But what was most alarming were my fingernails. They became brittle, paper-thin, and ridged. I was desperate for answers—and ultimately, for relief from eczema that addressed the root cause.
Searching for Relief from Eczema: Why Testing Fell Short
Like most people, I turned to professionals. The allergist said I had no detectable allergies. The dermatologist offered oral and topical steroids. These temporarily calmed my skin, but came with side effects like elevated blood sugar—a deal breaker for my overall health.
What surprised me most? Not once did anyone suggest food as a possible trigger. No mention of the gut-skin connection. No elimination strategy. Yet, the eczema kept returning, and I knew there had to be more to the story.
Clues from My Daughter’s Eczema Journey
When my daughter began showing symptoms, we sought answers through allergy testing. Her allergist discovered she was sensitive to strawberries, red dye, and, for a time, garlic. Once we removed those foods from her diet, her eczema cleared—completely.
That lightbulb moment got me thinking: If food triggered her eczema, could it be triggering mine too?
How Elimination Diets Offered True Relief from Eczema
I began researching elimination diets and the role food sensitivities play in chronic inflammation. It was empowering to learn that even when standard allergy tests come up clean, foods can still cause problems! They do so on a slower, more subtle timeline.
I started my elimination journey by cutting dairy, and within weeks, my full-body flare-up stopped. That was my first real relief from eczema.
Later, I removed nightshades—tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers—and the nerve pain decreased. My nail beds healed. My skin stopped breaking. It was a transformation.
Why Allergy Tests Don’t Catch Food Sensitivities
Standard allergy tests look for IgE-mediated reactions, which are immediate and dramatic—think hives or anaphylaxis. But eczema often stems from food sensitivities, not full-blown allergies. These reactions involve different immune pathways and can take hours or even days to appear.
That’s why elimination diets are so powerful for finding relief from eczema. They work by removing common triggers, giving the body a break, and then slowly reintroducing foods to identify problem items.
Common Food Triggers That Worsen Eczema
While everyone is different, these are the most common food triggers that may stand in the way of relief from eczema:
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Gluten
- Soy
- Corn
- Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, paprika)
- Artificial dyes and preservatives
For me, dairy and nightshades were the biggest offenders. For my daughter, it was strawberries and red dye. Garlic and strawberries were both temporary triggers that she, thankfully, outgrew.
Beyond the Rash: How Eczema Affected My Nails and Nerves
Eczema isn’t always visible. Sure, there are the red patches and itchy spots. But what about the pain no one sees?
For me, the nerve pain was the most debilitating. It felt like electric shocks or a burning sensation under my skin. My nails split and peeled. I dreaded shaking hands or doing dishes.
When I found relief from eczema through food changes, these lesser-known symptoms disappeared. Today, my nails are strong again—still with some ridges, but healthy and pain-free.
How to Start an Elimination Diet for Eczema Relief
If you’re tired of creams that offer temporary results, consider this approach to find relief from eczema from the inside out:
1. Remove Common Triggers
Start by eliminating the top culprits for at least three weeks:
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Gluten
- Soy
- Corn
- Nightshades
- Processed foods
- Artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives
2. Track Symptoms
Use a journal or a tracking sheet to log everything you eat and how your body responds. To help with this, download my free Elimination Diet Tracker (PDF). It’s a simple yet powerful tool to connect your diet with your skin’s behavior.
[📄 Download the Elimination Diet Tracker (PDF) – Free Resource that is linked below this post!]
3. Reintroduce Slowly
After the elimination phase, reintroduce foods one at a time. Wait at least a week (7 days) between each new food. Look out for returning symptoms—skin irritation, fatigue, bloating, or mood swings can all be signs of a sensitivity. If you do have a reaction, wait 21 days to reintroduce a different food.
4. Seek Guidance
If possible, work with a nutritionist to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need. But even on your own, this journey is worth it. Many people, like me, find long-term relief from eczema this way.
Life After Elimination: Living Without Flare-Ups
These days, my daughter and I are mostly flare-up free. We still eat flavorful meals—we’ve just adapted our ingredients. Making dairy-free sauces, enjoying plant-based meals, and skipping the nightshades altogether are just some ways that we have adapted. We enjoy foods as close to their natural state as possible to avoid dyes and preservatives.
The changes were worth it. My skin is calm. My hands no longer crack, and my nails are strong. That’s not just improvement—that’s relief from eczema.
Lessons I’ve Learned on the Road to Healing
- You are your best advocate. If doctors dismiss your concerns, keep looking. Keep learning.
- Eczema is multi-layered. It’s not just skin-deep. Internal inflammation, gut health, and diet all play a role.
- Relief from eczema is possible. It takes time, but when you get to the root cause, the healing is real.
You Know Your Body Best
Healthcare providers can offer support, but they don’t always have all the answers. My journey toward relief from eczema came from paying attention to my symptoms, asking questions, and refusing to accept flare-ups as “just the way it is.”
If your skin is still struggling and your test results show nothing, look deeper. Track your food. Tune into your body. Try the elimination approach.
And don’t forget—download your free Elimination Diet Tracker linked below to make the process easier and more organized.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve Relief from Eczema
Eczema can feel defeating, but I want you to know there is hope. Relief isn’t always found in a prescription bottle. Sometimes it’s in your kitchen—waiting to be discovered.
If my story resonates with you, take the first step. Remove the common triggers, track your progress, and reclaim your comfort.
Healing takes effort, but relief from eczema is worth every step.
Enhancing Eczema Healing with Supportive Tools and Products
Make dietary changes to enhance your healing journey. You can incorporate tools like the Lifepro Waver Vibration Plate Exercise Machine into your routine. Doing so can significantly boost your progress. This high-intensity vibration platform promotes muscle activation while supporting lymphatic drainage, which is essential for removing toxins from the body. By improving circulation and stimulating lymph flow, this exercise machine can help bolster your efforts in achieving relief from eczema. Alongside this, use nourishing lotions to provide additional support for your skin. Lotions such as ECZEMA HONEY Original Skin-Soothing Cream are beneficial. Lavido Nurturing Hand Cream and The Naked Bee Orange Blossom Honey Lotion also offer advantages. These products are crafted to combat dryness, soothe irritation, and create a more comfortable environment for your skin during the healing process. These are products I use whenever I have an eczema flare-up, and I cannot recommend them highly enough!
If you’re eager to explore more holistic strategies for health and wellness, be sure to check out my other articles and recipes. I delve into various topics that promote overall well-being. These range from nourishing meals to self-care practices. They can support your journey toward vibrant health. Your path to healing is unique, and having access to a wide range of resources can empower you to make informed decisions every step of the way.
Understanding Eczema: Causes and Symptoms Explained(Opens in a new browser tab)
High Cortisol Symptoms and Affects to Your Body and Mind(Opens in a new browser tab)
Health and Disease: Welcome to Your Journey to Wellness(Opens in a new browser tab)
Scale Won’t Budge: Understand the Diabetes Challenge(Opens in a new browser tab)
Biblical Healing Diet: A Spiritual Approach to Wellness(Opens in a new browser tab)
Download the Free PDF Tracker
Elimination_Diet_Tracker
