Low-cobalt diet for dyshidrotic eczema patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Dyshidrotic eczema is a type of chronic intermittent dermatitis characterized by vesicles, dystrophic fingernail changes, and rarely bullae that affects the hands and feet. Many exogenous factors may trigger a flare including dermatophyte infections, contact irritants, and metal hypersensitivity. Although metal hypersensitivity does not play a role in all cases of dyshidrotic eczema, high oral ingestion of nickel and/or cobalt should be considered, regardless of patch test results.

OBJECTIVE:

We updated and simplified existing published guidelines for low-cobalt diets. A recent review of the literature showed that dietary cobalt restriction, a safe yet burdensome treatment option for dyshidrosis, is referenced to dated sources.

METHODS:

We have analysed current data for the cobalt content in common food items.

CONCLUSION:

We propose a revised, point-based diet that will eliminate much of the dietary cobalt (and nickel) and reduce dyshidrotic eczema flares.

• Authors: Joseph Stuckert, Susan Nedorost
• Journal: Contact dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis) Vol. 59 Issue 6 Pg. 361-5 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1600-0536 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19076887 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Cobalt
• Nickel

Topics

• Cobalt (toxicity)
• Diet
• Eczema, Dyshidrotic (diet therapy, etiology)
• Food Hypersensitivity (diet therapy, etiology)
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Nickel (toxicity)
• Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• United States