Madeleine Hull
Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects over 31 million Americans. While there is no cure, dietary changes can help to manage symptoms. Specific eating plans such as an anti-inflammatory diet or Mediterranean diet may benefit people with eczema. An elimination diet, where potential trigger foods are removed and slowly reintroduced, can also help identify food triggers. However, there is limited evidence supporting elimination diets, and they may carry risks such as malnutrition and developing food intolerances. People with eczema may also have food allergies or sensitivities, and common allergens include cow's milk, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. Dietary changes such as increasing water intake and consuming probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins can also help reduce eczema flares and symptoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dietary changes to manage eczema | Not a one-size-fits-all solution |
| Specific eating plans | Anti-inflammatory and Mediterranean diet |
| Common food allergies associated with eczema | Cow's milk, peanuts, eggs, soy products, wheat, tree nuts, fish, shellfish |
| Food reactions | Can take a day or longer to appear |
| Elimination diet | May slightly lower eczema severity |
| Probiotics | Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species |
| Vitamins and minerals | Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D |
| Low-nickel diet | May improve symptoms in people with hand eczema and dyshidrotic eczema |
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What You'll Learn
Elimination diets
While there is no cure for eczema, certain foods may trigger flare-ups. It is important to note that dietary changes are not a one-size-fits-all solution for eczema, and one should consult a doctor or dietitian to make an eating plan specific to their situation.
Some common food triggers for eczema include milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, wheat, tree nuts, soy products, and shellfish. It is important to note that even if a food allergy test is positive, removing that food from the diet may not be appropriate or helpful. For example, a 2022 review of studies found that eliminating trigger foods only slightly eased certain eczema symptoms, such as daytime itching and sleeplessness.
In addition to the aforementioned common food triggers, some specific foods that have been reported to worsen eczema symptoms include chocolate, beer, wine, tea, soda, citrus fruit, certain spices, nuts, shrimp, and bread made with wheat flour.
Other dietary interventions, such as drinking water to stay hydrated and following an anti-inflammatory or Mediterranean diet, may also help reduce eczema flares and symptoms.
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Anti-inflammatory diets
While dietary changes may help manage eczema, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is important to work with a doctor or dietitian to make an eating plan specific to your situation.
Since eczema is an inflammatory condition, an anti-inflammatory diet may help manage it. An anti-inflammatory diet includes foods rich in compounds that may reduce inflammation in the body. These include:
- Fish: A natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help with inflammation.
- Flaxseed: Also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that soothe inflammation.
- Fermented foods and yogurt: Rich in probiotics, which promote a diverse gut flora and may help reduce inflammation throughout the body.
- Fruits and vegetables: Especially colourful fruits and vegetables, which are rich in flavonoids, i.e., anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Spices: Such as turmeric and ginger, which are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Mediterranean diet
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that affects both children and adults. While there is no cure for eczema, dietary changes can help manage the symptoms. Many people with eczema also have food allergies or sensitivities. Common food allergies associated with eczema include cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, soy products, wheat, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.
The Mediterranean diet is based on an eating plan common in countries such as Greece, Italy, and Turkey. It emphasizes whole foods, plant-based foods, and lean protein over processed foods. The diet includes fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and healthy fats from plant sources, like olives. It also includes moderate amounts of red wine, which contains the plant compound quercetin.
The Mediterranean diet may help improve symptoms of eczema for some people. As eczema is an inflammatory condition, reducing general inflammation in the body can help manage the symptoms. The Mediterranean diet focuses on eliminating foods that increase inflammation and emphasizes anti-inflammatory foods. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseed, can help soothe inflammation. Probiotics, found in fermented foods and yogurt, promote a diverse gut flora. Prebiotics, found in onions, bananas, and garlic, provide food for good bacteria to thrive. Plant-based options help fight oxidative stress, which provokes inflammation.
It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all diet for eczema, and individual results may vary. A personalized and tailored diet is more likely to have the desired effects. Before making any significant dietary changes, it is recommended to consult a dietitian or healthcare professional to ensure that nutritional needs are being met.
Additionally, keeping a food journal can help identify potential trigger foods. An elimination diet involves temporarily avoiding certain foods for several weeks and then slowly reintroducing them one at a time to determine any reactions. This can be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
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Dyshidrotic diet
While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for eczema, dietary changes can help manage eczema symptoms. Eating plans such as an anti-inflammatory diet and a Mediterranean diet may benefit people with eczema.
The dyshidrotic diet involves limiting foods that may contain nickel and cobalt to help reduce flare-ups among people with hypersensitivity to these metals. Nickel is the most common cause of metal allergies and can cause contact eczema. A diet rich in antioxidants may also help reduce symptoms by supporting overall health.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, dermatologists may recommend a diet that assigns point values to food and drinks with nickel and cobalt based on the amount of metal present. People with hypersensitivities can then track the points for what they consume to avoid going over a certain number.
Elimination Diet
An elimination diet may help those who don't know their eczema triggers. This diet involves removing potential food triggers from your diet for a time and slowly adding them back in one by one to monitor symptoms. However, there is limited evidence that elimination diets are effective for eczema relief in general.
Anti-inflammatory Diet
Because eczema is an inflammatory condition, an anti-inflammatory diet could help manage it. An anti-inflammatory diet includes foods rich in compounds that may reduce inflammation in the body and avoids foods that may cause inflammation when consumed in excess. Spices like turmeric and ginger are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Common food allergies
Eczema is a common rash that often presents early in infancy and is closely associated with food allergies. It is believed that genetics plays a role in increasing sensitivity to irritants, allergens, and environmental factors. Food allergies are the result of an abnormal immune system response, where the body reacts to a certain food as if it were harmful or dangerous, triggering symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling, and coughing.
There are several common food allergies that have been identified as triggers for eczema. These include:
- Cow's milk
- Peanuts
- Eggs
- Soy products
- Wheat
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
It is important to note that not all eczema cases are caused by food allergies, and there are other triggers such as shampoo, body washes, laundry detergent, fragrances, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, weather shifts, hormones, and stress. Additionally, there is no one-size-fits-all diet for managing eczema, and dietary changes should be made under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
For those who want to explore the link between their eczema and diet, an elimination diet may be recommended. This involves removing potential food triggers from your diet for several weeks and then slowly reintroducing them one at a time to monitor symptoms. This can be a tricky process as it may take a day or longer for a reaction to appear, and there are risks of developing food allergies and nutritional deficiencies.
Some other general dietary interventions that may help reduce eczema flares include drinking plenty of water to keep the body and skin hydrated, and focusing on a diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no clear timeline for how long it takes for eczema to clear up with an elimination diet. Some sources suggest that eliminating trigger foods can lead to slight improvements in eczema severity, especially for those with mild to moderate eczema. However, it is important to consult a doctor or dietitian before starting an elimination diet to ensure proper guidance and avoid potential risks, such as malnutrition.
There is no one-size-fits-all diet for eczema, but certain foods are more likely to trigger flare-ups. Common food allergies associated with eczema include cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, soy products, wheat, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and gluten. An elimination diet can help identify specific trigger foods by temporarily avoiding them and slowly reintroducing them one at a time.
Specific eating plans, such as an anti-inflammatory diet and the Mediterranean diet, may benefit people with eczema. The anti-inflammatory diet focuses on reducing inflammation in the body by avoiding processed and sugary foods. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole foods, fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein.
In addition to specific diets, there are other dietary changes that may help manage eczema. Staying hydrated by drinking enough water can reduce eczema flares and symptoms. Consuming probiotics and prebiotics, as well as foods containing flavonoids and antioxidants, can also be beneficial for skin health and managing inflammation.
