Do I have to cut out all dairy products if I have a skin disease?

You do not necessarily have to cut them all out. Please verify during your medical evaluation whether similar symptoms repeated every time you consumed dairy and what specific tests you have undergone.

If the test is positive, does it mean I am allergic to that food?

Not always. The sensitization shown in a test can differ from the actual allergic symptoms that occur after eating. We must review which test you received and what happened when you ate that food.

Can an IgG food test find the cause of my skin issues?

It is not recommended as a test to identify food allergies or intolerances. Please do not cut out multiple foods for a long period based solely on the test results.

If I receive herbal medicine treatment, can I eat foods I am allergic to?

For confirmed food allergies, you must continue to avoid the food and follow your emergency response plan. Korean herbal medicine treatment addresses recurring skin symptoms, itching, and sleep disturbances within the boundaries of that safety plan.

Skin Disease Treatment Guide

How should we view food and allergy tests when skin condition is poor?

Name: How should I view diet and allergy tests when skin condition is poor?
Published: 2026-08-25

If you felt your skin worsened on a day you ate certain foods, please note what and how much you ate, and what symptoms appeared after how many minutes or hours. Do not forget to include whether this repeated with the same food, or if you experienced shortness of breath, swollen lips, or vomiting. Rather than cutting out every food listed on a test report, please verify your actual reactions during your medical evaluation.

Click on unfamiliar terms to see their meanings immediately.

Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-08-25

If you experienced immediate swelling or difficulty breathing after eating, seek medical evaluation first

Cases where the lips or area around the eyes swell and breathing becomes difficult immediately after eating must be viewed differently from cases where the skin becomes rough and itchy the next day. If your lips or tongue swell or you experience shortness of breath, do not wait to organize your food records; seek emergency help immediately.

Check if the symptoms recur every time you eat the same food

It is difficult to determine that a food is the cause simply because it coincided once on the same day. Please record what and how much you ate, what time you ate, and when your skin changed. Also, let us know if you had poor sleep, if it was a hot day, or if you used new cosmetics or detergents.

Whether a food identified in a test is the actual cause must be verified separately

Even if a test shows a reaction to a certain food, it does not necessarily mean that symptoms will always occur when eating that food. Please bring the result sheet showing which test you received and tell the medical staff how your body actually changed when you ate it.

Seek medical evaluation before cutting out multiple foods for a long time

Cutting out multiple foods for a long period based only on a test sheet may excessively limit what you can eat and lead to nutritional deficiencies. Extra caution is needed for growing children or those who are pregnant. Determine which foods must be avoided and when to re-evaluate after a medical consultation.

Check once more before your appointment

We review the test results and actual consumption together

Written on the test result sheet Sensitizationmeans there is evidence that the immune system reacted to that food. However, this does not necessarily mean that eating that food will always cause allergic symptoms. You must check the test results alongside how your body changed on the day you ate that food.

How long after eating did symptoms appear, and what were they?

Swelling like hives wheals, swelling around the lips or eyes, vomiting, coughing, or shortness of breath occurring within a few minutes to a few hours; please record what you ate and how much. If you have difficulty breathing or feel disoriented, you must seek emergency help immediately.

Please record both the time you ate and the time the first symptoms appeared.

If you felt itchier the next day, consider other factors as well

If your skin was dry and itchy the next day, look into factors other than food. Consider if you had poor sleep, or if it was hot or if you sweated a lot, AllergenPlease also let us know if your skin came into contact with new substances called allergens, such as cosmetics or detergents.

Compare whether similar symptoms occurred on other days when you ate the same food.

Check your result sheet to see which tests you received

A reaction in a skin prick test or a specific IgE test alone is not enough to confirm the causative food. An oral food challenge, where you eat the suspected food under medical supervision, may be necessary; however, if you have experienced a severe reaction, you must not attempt this at home.

Please bring the entire result sheet, not just a portion of it.

Do not decide which foods to avoid based solely on an IgG food test

Food-specific IgG tests are not recommended for identifying food allergies or intolerances. If you cut out all foods indicated on the test sheet, you may unnecessarily limit your diet and miss the actual cause that needs to be identified.

If there are foods you have already stopped eating, please let us know along with the name of the test you took.

If you decide to eliminate certain foods, determine when you will re-evaluate them.

For children in their growth phase or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is important to ensure that restricting foods does not cause issues with nutrition and growth. Before starting, determine which foods must be avoided, what to eat instead, and when to return for a medical evaluation.

Please write down the foods you are currently avoiding and the foods you are eating instead.

Please write down only these items before your appointment

What you ate and how much
The time you ate and the time symptoms began
Whether the symptoms recurred with the same food
Foods you are currently avoiding and the date you started avoiding them

You can check the simple meaning first before proceeding to the detailed explanation

Skin Terms to Know in This Guide

AllergenAn allergen is a substance, such as food, medication, pollen, dust mites, or contact materials, that triggers an allergic reaction. Exposure alone does not confirm that it is the cause of the symptoms.SensitizationSensitization means that an immune response to a specific substance can be confirmed through testing. This is not always the same as a clinical allergy, where symptoms actually occur upon ingestion or contact.WhealA wheal is a raised area that looks like a mosquito bite; a key clue is that the same lesion fades within a relatively short period of time.Exacerbation periodA flare-up period is when itching, redness, oozing, or the area of the lesions increases more than usual. This does not always mean that a new disease has developed.

When herbal medicine treatment is the primary focus

We set the goals for herbal medicine treatment based on your previous treatments and when symptoms recurred

If skin symptoms persist or recur despite receiving necessary tests and treatments, and if this disrupts your sleep or daily life, we can plan a treatment centered on herbal medicine after reviewing your current skin changes and response to previous treatments.

Before the consultation

We ask where it appeared and when it worsened again

We examine the appearance and location of the skin lesions, the timing of flare-ups, and the response to medications used, along with overall bodily conditions that change simultaneously, such as sleep, digestion, and fatigue.

During treatment

We check if not only the itching, but also sleep and daily life are improving

In addition to visible changes in photos, we check the level of itching and pain, the frequency of waking up during the night, the interval between new skin changes, and your recovery of daily functioning.

Treatment sequence

We set the goals for herbal medicine treatment by identifying the problems that need to be resolved first

If there are causes that require immediate priority, such as infection or rapid worsening, those treatments come first. Subsequently, for herbal medicine treatment, we determine the primary goal of recovery by examining current discomfort, recurring patterns, sleep, digestion, and fatigue, and coordinate the sequence with necessary dermatological treatments.

While reducing aggravating factors through lifestyle management, herbal medicine treatment determines the initial target by analyzing the pattern of lesions, sleep, digestion, and fatigue through pattern identification (Byeonjeung). Necessary skin treatments are continued in accordance with the progress.

Consult about treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions Before Your Visit

If I have a skin condition, do I have to stop all dairy products?

Not necessarily. During your appointment, please check whether similar symptoms recurred every time you consumed dairy and what tests you have undergone.

How detailed should a food diary be?

You do not need to calculate every nutrient. Simply record the suspected foods, the time you ate them, the time your skin changed, and whether you experienced swelling, shortness of breath, or vomiting.

If a test is positive, does it mean I have an allergy to that food?

Not always. The sensitization shown in a test can differ from the allergic symptoms that actually occur after eating. We must review which test you took and what happened when you ate that food.

Can the cause of skin issues be found through an IgG food test?

This is not recommended as a test to identify food allergies or intolerances. Please do not cut out various foods for a long period based solely on the test chart.

Can I try eating the suspected food again at home?

If you previously experienced shortness of breath, swelling of the lips or tongue, or repeated vomiting, do not try eating it again at home. An allergy specialist will determine if a supervised medical evaluation is necessary.

If I receive Korean herbal medicine treatment, can I eat foods that I am allergic to?

For confirmed food allergies, you must continue to avoid the corresponding food and follow your emergency response plan. Korean herbal medicine treatment manages recurring skin symptoms itching· Addresses sleep burden.

Conditions and Guidance Related to My Symptoms

Condition GuidanceAtopic DermatitisAtopic dermatitis is not confirmed by a single blood test or allergy test. In dermatology, the process centers on observing the appearance and distribution of dryness, itching, and rashes, as well as inquiring about the onset, the course of improvement and worsening, sleep disturbance, response to previous treatments, and exposure to irritants such as soap, detergents, scented products, and smoke. Medical history of atopic dermatitis, asthma, or hay fever for yourself and your family is also reviewed. In many cases, a physical skin examination and medical history are sufficient; blood tests or skin biopsies are selected when other causes of rashes must be ruled out. Symptoms, distribution, and progression are interpreted together rather than relying on a single test result.Condition GuidanceUrticariaThe representative symptom of urticaria (hives) is itchy wheals that suddenly appear. They may appear as round bumps, wide plaques, or linear shapes and can merge together; depending on skin tone, they may look red, pink, or similar to the surrounding skin color. A single wheal usually disappears within a day, but new skin changes appear in other locations, making the rash feel as if it is moving. In addition to itching, it may sting or burn, and angioedema, swelling of deeper skin layers such as the eyelids, lips, hands, and feet, may accompany it. Swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness, or a feeling of fainting require immediate emergency assistance.Condition GuidancePediatric Atopic DermatitisPediatric atopic dermatitis is not diagnosed by a single photograph or a single allergy test. In infancy, it may be prominent on the face and torso, and as the child grows, in the folds of the skin such as the elbows and behind the knees; therefore, we consider the age of onset, recurring locations, nighttime itching, and family history of atopy. If there is pain, oozing, pus, or fever in scratched wounds, we first check for infection.Differential Diagnosis GuideHives vs. Eczema: How many hours they stay is the primary distinctionWheals from hives usually do not stay in the same spot for long and tend to move, whereas eczema lesions persist for several days and may leave scaling, oozing, or cracking.

Evidence and Update Information

The following materials were referenced for the differential diagnosis of similar skin diseases and the criteria for continuing existing treatments. The direction of Korean herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment is determined by examining these alongside skin patterns, sleep, and general systemic condition.

American Academy of Dermatology Guide on Food and EczemaConfirmed the evaluation of food allergies and the risks of excessive restrictive diets.
NIAID Food Allergy Patient GuideConfirmed the difference between sensitization and actual allergy, and the roles of testing and oral food challenges.
AAAAI Guide on Food IgG TestingConfirmed that food IgG tests are not recommended for the diagnosis of allergies or intolerances.
American Academy of Dermatology Urticaria GuideThe course of wheals and urgent accompanying symptoms were verified.