Meat, if allowed, should be taken sparingly and not oftener than once a day—better only every other day. Beef and chicken are the preferable meats. If no improvement occurs, or if it be slight, meat should be omitted altogether. Eggs may be substituted for meat. A little fresh fruit, if thoroughly ripe, may be taken, but all made desserts must be avoided and very little sweets used. Cracked wheat, or other wheat cereal, with a little cream, may be eaten.
Oatmeal may provoke an attack because of the amount of fat in it. Foods may cause an attack in one case that have no detrimental action in another.
Skin eruptions, eczema-like, often occur if for any reason the diet has been too limited, as in the semi-starvation seen in poor children. In these cases a more nutritious diet will often cure.
Bananas, apples, cabbage, or fried foods, often cause a temporary attack or aggravate an existing condition.
The food must be thoroughly masticated, must be taken at regular times, and not in excess. As this condition sometimes accompanies other diseases, any underlying condition must be sought, but all diet should be as simple as the needs of the system will bear. The foods which are found to increase the irritation of the skin are the ones to be avoided in each case.
Pruritus (Itching)
The all-prevalent American habit of eating fried food often produces an intense itching of the skin in various parts of the body. It occurs often in those who eat food highly seasoned with pepper or other condiments. The articles of food causing the overstimulation must be avoided, and all fried food, pastries, or food containing much fat, must be greatly lessened or omitted altogether.
Itching is sometimes caused during the change of seasons due to the effect of the changing temperature on the nerves of the skin. To rub the skin with oil for two or three days to soften the dead cells and to aid their removal from the surface will secure a better circulation in the skin and help to eliminate the cause of the itching. A free drinking of water, fresh air, and exercise will help the condition.
Acne
The rapidly changing system of the growing boy and girl is especially liable to disorders, due to improper eating, irregular habits, worry, lack of rest, or improper food. Eruptions, especially on the face, appear as a result. The sebaceous glands are especially active, and any alteration in the structure of the blood, due to deranged digestive processes and defective elimination by the skin, causes too great an amount of deposit in the fat glands. Their contents become hardened and infected by germs, with consequent irritation and reddening, and the condition known as acne is the result.