Frequently Asked Questions - Influence of Food on Dermatology

Q

A

Which nutritional deficiencies are most commonly implicated in dermatology?

The nutrients involved in skin diseases that are caused by deficiencies are zinc and essential fatty acids.

How can a zinc deficiency be identified?

It can be tempting to measure the zinc level in the blood or in the hair, but these methods are unsatisfactory. The diagnosis is based histopathology of the skin lesions (parakeratotic hyperkeratosis) and the response to supplementation or correction of the diet.

What should you do when a Siberian Husky showing signs of zincresponsive dermatosis does not respond to the administration of zinc?

First the zinc salt should be changed, for example, prescribe zinc gluconate or zinc methionine instead of zinc sulfate. The prescription of a low dose of corticosteroids (prednisolone: 0.2 mg/kg/day) generally leads to a very significant improvement in zincabsorption and the control of dermatosis.

Which foods are the most likely to cause allergenic reactions?

The data provided in the literature do not permit the identification of sources of more allergenic proteins. The knowledge of the very nature of allergens may permit definition of the high-risk foods in the near future.

Is white meat less allergenic than red meat?

This belief is incorrect. The color of the meat does not have any influence on its potential allergenic or hypoallergenic character. Indeed, the origin and the color of the meat are not implicated in the studies on the etiopathogenesis of food intolerances in dogs. On the other hand, the risk increases with the quantity of meat ingested. A very red meat like venison is very widely and successfully used as a basis for elimination diets.

Can atopic dermatitis be controlled simply with PUFA supplementation?

Yes, but if the response is unsatisfactory after two months of treatment other therapeutics should be used.

Can dietary imbalance create an immune deficiency?

Only serious protein or fatty acid deficiencies can cause an immune deficiency. This has been observed only in cases of debilitating diseases or serious chronic digestive problems.