nutrition and the skin

Question 1

what is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance

Answer 1

a food allergy describes when symptoms are caused by immune reaction, usually IgE mediated whereas food tolerance is a non immune reaction eg where there is a lactose enzyme deficiency leading to bad absorption of lactose

Question 2

what are obesities effects on the skin

Answer 2

• Collagen structure and function and wound healing = reduced mechanical strength due to a failure of collagen deposition to match the increased surface area
• sebaceous glands = increased androgens produced in peripheral fat stimulate sebaceous glands
• subcutaneous fat = the endocrine roles of adipose tissue may be altered by increased hormone production
• lymphatics = pressure from fat impedes lymphatic flow and causes leakage of protein rich lymphatic fluid into the sub cutaneous tissues
• circulation = microvascular dysfunction resulting in increased skin blood flow with may contribute to hypertension
• Apocrine and eccrine glands = increased activity in enlarged skin folds increase moisture and friction in folds can cause irritation
• Barrier function = increased trans-epidermal water loss therefore skin tends to be dry

Question 3

what are direct skin manifestations of obesity

Answer 3

Acanthosis nigrican 
Skin tags 
Hirsutism 
Acne 
Hidradenitis 
Androgenetic alopecia 
Stretch marks

Question 4

what are some skin diseases aggravated by obesity

Answer 4

Lymphoedema 
Chronic venous insufficiency 
Skin infections 
Intertigo 
Psoriasis

Question 5

what are the two forms of protein energy malnutrition

Answer 5

Marasmis: global nutrient deficiency causing weight loss by fat breakdown

Kwashiorkor: thought to be caused by a very low protein intake with reasonable carbohydrate intake. There is oedema and children often develop a enlarged “pot belly”

Question 6

what does food allergy mean

Answer 6

Food allergy is an adverse immune response to a food and is often
confused with food intolerance, which does not involve the
immune system

Question 7

What is the UK prevalence of food allergy in children under the age of 3

Answer 7

6-8%

Question 8

what are the different types of food intolerance

Answer 8

Types of food intolerance include:
Intolerances with unknown mechanisms e.g. to food additives
Pharmacologic intolerances - reactions to naturally occurring
substances in foods e.g. histamine, salicylates, caffeine and
theobromine (in chocolate)
Enzymatic intolerances - the most common of which is lactose
intolerance (i.e. little or no lactase) – not to be confused with
cow’s milk allergy…

Question 9

what are symptoms of cows milk allergies

Answer 9

Symptoms differ according to whether the allergy is IgE mediated
or non-IgE mediated.
Both types can involve the skin and GI system, however in IgE
mediated CMA it can also affect the respiratory system and
potentially cause anaphylaxis or other systemic allergic reactions.
Skin reactions involve pruritus and erythema, however acute
urticaria and acute angioedema can also occur with IgE mediated
CMA, and atopic eczema with non-IgE mediated CMA.