What does eczema mean to my diet?
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease. Also called atopic dermatitis , it can cause skin irritation, oozing blisters, and itchy rashes. Over time, it may also cause patches of leather skin to appear. Eczema is most common in children under 2 years of age, but it can also affect older children and adults. Genetic and environmental triggers may play a role in the development of the disease, but the reasons are still unclear. Many children "grow up" from eczema, with almost no outbreaks as adults. Studies have shown that if the mother takes probiotics and avoids milk during pregnancy, the baby may be less likely to develop eczema. Babies who are exclusively breastfed during the first three months of life are also less likely to develop eczema.Many people with eczema have also been diagnosed with food allergies. However, everyone is different and discovering your personal food needs is important to minimize allergies and eczema problems. Not everyone will have problems with the foods listed below, but common food allergies associated with eczema include:
- milk
- egg
- Soy products
- gluten
- nut
- fish
- shellfish
Eating certain foods does not seem to cause eczema, but if you already have eczema, it may cause eczema. Maintaining an eczema-friendly diet is the key to overall condition management. Not everyone will have the same reaction or seizures to the same food. The foods listed below contain properties that may help reduce the onset of eczema, but understanding your body and which food is best for you is the key.
Should I eat certain foods?
Eating anti-inflammatory foods may help reduce or alleviate the symptoms of eczema. This includes:
Fatty fish
You can reduce symptoms by eating fatty fish. Fish oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory effects. You may also consider taking omega-3 supplements. In general, it is recommended that you consume at least 250 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per day, preferably from food.
Foods containing quercetin
Quercetin is a plant flavonoid compound. It helps to give rich colors to many flowers, fruits and vegetables. It is also a powerful antioxidant and antihistamine. This means it can reduce inflammation and histamine levels in the body.
Foods high in quercetin include:
- apple
- blueberry
- Cherry
- broccoli
- spinach
- Kale
Foods containing probiotics
Probiotic foods, such as yogurt, contain live bacteria that help support a strong immune system. This may help reduce sudden attacks or allergic reactions.
Foods rich in probiotics include:
- Sourdough bread
- Miso soup
- Naturally fermented kimchi
- Soft cheese, such as Gouda
- Unpasteurized sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Tempeh
Your best food depends largely on any food allergies you may be diagnosed with. Foods that are considered friendly to eczema may trigger seizures in people who are allergic to them.
Are there foods that I should limit or avoid?
What you eat may not directly cause eczema, but it can cause an increase in symptoms. This is especially true if you eat allergic or sensitive foods.
Common food allergies include:
- Dairy products
- egg
- Soybeans
- nut
Foods containing preservatives and artificial ingredients may also exacerbate symptoms. This includes foods rich in trans fats, such as margarine, processed foods, and fast food. High-sugar foods may also trigger eczema. Sugar can cause your insulin levels to spike, which can lead to inflammation.
Items usually high in sugar include:
- cake
- Some coffee drinks
- Some soda
- Some smoothies
- Fast food, such as burgers
Is there a specific diet plan I can follow?
There is no one-size-fits-all eczema diet, although eating a diet rich in antioxidants may help reduce symptoms. Some diet plans are based on principles you may find to help reduce symptoms:
Mediterranean diet
This diet emphasizes eating:
- fruit
- vegetables
- fish
- Healthy fats, such as olive oil
It also includes red wine containing quercetin. In this diet, sugary desserts and red meat can be eaten in small amounts or not at all.
Anti-inflammatory diet
The food plan focuses on eliminating foods that increase inflammation and eating fiber-rich foods. It strongly emphasizes:
- fruit
- vegetables
- Whole grains
- Healthy fats, such as olive oil
- Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Processed foods containing chemical substances are not included in this food plan.
What about hyperhidrosis and elimination diet?
Hyperhidrosis and elimination diets are two other diets you may want to consider. The hyperhidrosis diet is specifically for those who suffer from hyperhidrosis and eczema. Elimination diets may help people who don’t know what causes eczema.
Sweat herpes diet
Sweat herpes is characterized by small blisters on the hands and feet. As with other forms of eczema, the cause is unclear. Allergens, including food allergens, may affect sudden attacks. Nickel and cobalt may exacerbate the symptoms of sweat herpes . The hyperhidrosis diet includes avoiding foods containing these elements to help reduce outbreaks.
Nickel and cobalt may exist in:
- whole wheat
- whole wheat
- rye
- oat
- cocoa
- baking powder
- Soy products
- dried fruit
- Chickpeas
- Canned food
Foods rich in vitamin C can help reduce the absorption of these elements, so eating more fresh fruits and vegetables may also help. This includes:
- Bell pepper
- Kale
- orange
- Strawberry
- cauliflower
- pineapple
- Mango
Elimination diet
It is recommended that people who have been diagnosed with food allergies adopt an elimination diet. If you are not sure what is the cause of eczema, trying an elimination diet may or may not reduce attacks.
In addition to what you eat, there are many triggers for eczema, including stress, topical products, and the environment. This may make it more difficult for you to determine what caused your outbreak.
If you want to try an elimination diet, first remove a specific food or food group from the food you eat for at least three days to see if your seizure subsides. For best results, try to remove one specific food or group of foods at a time.
Will eating gluten-free food help?
For some people, celiac disease and eczema seem to be complementary. This may be due to genetic links between the two diseases. Treat celiac disease by removing gluten from the diet. If you suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity in addition to eczema, if you remove gluten, your skin may be truly improved.
Gluten-free foods have become very popular, and many foods are now labeled as gluten-free. Most wheat, rye, and barley products also have gluten-free alternatives that you can buy. A little imagination helps a lot here. For example, you can use potato chips instead of breadcrumbs to wrap chicken chops, and use almond flour instead of wheat flour for baking.
to sum up
Many triggers can cause symptoms related to eczema, including what you eat. No one diet can eliminate everyone’s eczema, but a good rule of thumb is to avoid any food that seems to make your symptoms worse.
Focus on a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein. This may help you avoid some or all of the eczema attacks.
If you are planning to become pregnant and your family has eczema, please consult your doctor. They can check any precautions you can take to reduce your baby's risk of this disease.
