Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune system disease that causes inflammation of the esophagus. Eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, build up in the lining of the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, causing damage and inflammation. The reasons why some people have EoE are not fully understood, but research has shown a strong connection between food allergies and EoE. Environmental allergens may also play a role in this disease, but more research is needed. Symptoms of EoE vary from person to person and may include trouble swallowing, chest pain, or heartburn. EoE can resemble other medical conditions, so it is important to get a proper diagnosis.

Some risk factors for EoE include having food or environmental allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis, or a chronic respiratory disease. EoE can affect anyone, but it is more common in white males. It is estimated that approximately 55 patients per 100,000 people in the United States have EoE.

There is no cure for EoE, but treatments can manage symptoms and prevent further damage. The two main types of treatments are medicines and diet. Medicines used to treat EoE are steroids, which can help control inflammation. These are usually topical steroids, which you swallow either from an inhaler or as a liquid. Sometimes doctors prescribe oral steroids. Elimination diets, which involve removing certain foods from the diet, have been shown to be very helpful in treating EoE. However, they can be very difficult to follow, especially without the help of a dietitian with experience in dealing with EoE. Foods are typically added back one at a time with follow-up endoscopies to help determine which specific foods are causing EoE. In some cases, the esophagus needs to be dilated (stretched) if it has narrowed[[6]](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditi...