Brenda Khan
Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause red, dry, itchy, and scaly skin. While there is no cure for eczema, adapting your diet can help to reduce and manage flare-ups. Eating plans such as an anti-inflammatory diet, a Mediterranean diet, or a dyshidrotic diet may benefit people with eczema. An elimination diet, where you cut out trigger foods one at a time, can help identify which foods contribute to your eczema. Ensuring a good balance of vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids in your diet can also help improve your skin's condition.
Will changing your diet help with eczema?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dietary changes help with eczema | There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but dietary changes can help manage eczema. |
| Dietary triggers | Food allergies and sensitivities can trigger eczema flare-ups. Common dietary triggers include milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, soy, wheat, gluten, citrus, chocolate, and spices. |
| Anti-inflammatory diet | An anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce eczema symptoms by reducing inflammation in the body. This includes eating whole foods, omega-3 fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory spices. |
| Probiotics | Probiotics support a strong immune system and gut health, which may help with eczema. Probiotic foods include yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut. |
| Prebiotics | Prebiotic foods, such as high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can improve gut health and reduce inflammation. |
| Vitamins and minerals | Ensuring adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin D, can support skin health and the immune system. |
| Tea | Drinking black, green, or oolong tea may help relieve eczema symptoms. |
| Elimination diet | An elimination diet, done with guidance from a healthcare professional, can help identify and eliminate dietary triggers of eczema. |
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What You'll Learn
Eliminate trigger foods
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause red, dry, itchy, scaly skin, and tiny blisters. While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for eczema, dietary changes can help manage symptoms.
Firstly, it is important to identify your trigger foods. A 2017 review published in The Lancet reported that up to 81% of people with eczema were found to have some form of food allergy. The most common sources of allergic reactions are milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, soy, wheat, gluten, citrus, and chocolate. Other common triggers include nickel and cobalt, which may be present in trace amounts in many foods.
To identify your trigger foods, you can try an elimination diet, which involves removing potential food triggers and slowly reintroducing them one by one while monitoring your symptoms. This should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure you are not missing out on important nutrients. Keeping a detailed food journal can also help you identify patterns and narrow down potential triggers.
Once you have identified your trigger foods, it is important to eliminate them from your diet to help manage your eczema symptoms. This may include cutting out certain food groups, such as dairy or gluten, or following a specific diet like the dyshidrotic diet, which involves limiting foods containing nickel and cobalt.
In addition to eliminating trigger foods, it is important to maintain a healthy gut by including probiotic-rich foods in your diet, such as yoghurt and other foods with live cultures. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as flavonoids found in colourful fruits and vegetables, may also help reduce symptoms by supporting your overall health and reducing inflammation.
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Consume anti-inflammatory foods
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause red, dry, itchy, scaly skin and sometimes tiny blisters. While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for eczema, an anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce symptoms.
An anti-inflammatory diet typically involves avoiding foods that cause inflammation, such as added sugars, simple or refined carbohydrates, highly processed foods, and nightshade vegetables. Instead, focus on consuming whole foods, lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy oils. Here are some specific food groups to consider:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and can be found in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring. It is recommended to obtain omega-3 fatty acids through food rather than supplements.
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support a healthy gut and immune system. Natural sources of probiotics include yogurt and other fermented foods. Specific strains like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus have been found to be particularly helpful.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are anti-inflammatory compounds found in colourful fruits and vegetables. Quercetin, a plant-based flavonoid, is a powerful antioxidant that may help lower inflammation. It can be found in red wine, certain fruits, and vegetables.
Vitamins and Minerals
Ensuring a good balance of vitamins and minerals in your diet can help support your skin's condition. Relevant vitamins for eczema include Vitamin C, found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables; Vitamin E, found in sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, avocado, and dried apricots; and Vitamin D, which is best absorbed from sunlight. Zinc, found in seafood, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, and lean red meat, is another important mineral for skin health.
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Focus on vitamins and minerals
While changing your diet won't cure eczema, it can help ease your symptoms. Eating a healthy, well-rounded diet rich in vitamins and minerals can improve your skin's condition.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" because your skin produces it when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is also found in some foods and is available as a supplement. Research suggests that vitamin D may help treat eczema, with one review of four studies concluding that vitamin D was more effective at reducing eczema symptoms than a placebo. Another review of 21 studies found that lower vitamin D levels were associated with more severe eczema in children.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an essential micronutrient in various skincare products, and supplementing with it may help improve skin health and decrease eczema symptoms. Vitamin E can be found in sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, avocado, and dried apricots.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, and it may be beneficial for people with eczema. However, it is not safe to mix vitamin C with some medications.
Zinc
Zinc is found in many food sources, including meat, seafood, dairy, and legumes, and supplementing with it may help reduce eczema severity, especially if you have a deficiency.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live cultures that affect your gut bacteria and help support a strong immune system, which may help manage eczema. Probiotics can be taken as supplements or consumed through foods such as yoghurt. However, the effectiveness of probiotics in treating eczema is still uncertain, and it is recommended that you consult a doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian before taking them.
In addition to vitamins and minerals, some specific diets may be beneficial for people with eczema. These include the Mediterranean diet, the anti-inflammatory diet, and the dyshidrotic diet for people with dyshidrotic eczema.
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Try probiotics and teas
Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) that are consumed or applied to the skin to improve health. They can be found in foods such as yogurt, which contains live cultures that affect your gut bacteria and help support a strong immune system.
Probiotics have been proposed as an effective treatment for eczema, and their use is increasing as numerous clinical trials are underway. However, some studies suggest that probiotics may not be an effective treatment for eczema, but more research is needed. In babies with a high risk of eczema, studies have found up to 50% fewer cases of eczema in babies following probiotic treatment during the last trimester of pregnancy, and ideally with baby supplements as well.
Probiotics can ensure a more diverse microflora in early life and, in turn, stimulate the immune system to protect from inflammation. The two main types of probiotics that impact the gut are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which were the most common types used in the studies.
If you choose to drink tea to soothe your eczema symptoms, it is important to avoid consuming excessive amounts so as not to develop side effects. More research is needed to confirm the benefits of tea for eczema. Teas that may be beneficial for reducing eczema symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory and calming properties include oolong tea, green tea, chamomile tea, nettle tea, dandelion tea, and peppermint tea.
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Identify food allergies
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause red, dry, itchy, and scaly skin. It can also lead to tiny blisters and skin splitting, which can be very painful. While eczema can be persistent, adapting your diet can help improve your symptoms.
Many people with eczema also have food allergies or sensitivities. However, it's important to note that everyone is different, and you should discover your personal food needs to minimize issues with allergies and eczema. Identifying and avoiding known allergens may help reduce symptoms.
- Skin Prick or Blood Test: A skin prick test or blood test can help identify food allergies. These tests should be conducted by a medical professional, such as an allergist, who can safely guide you through the process.
- Elimination Diet: An elimination diet involves cutting out suspected foods one at a time to determine if they are triggering your eczema. This should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nutritional therapist, or dietitian, to ensure you are not missing out on important nutrients.
- Rotation Diet: A rotation diet is similar to an elimination diet but involves eating suspected foods once every few days. This can help improve symptoms and identify triggers.
- Food Diary: Keeping a food diary in conjunction with an elimination diet can be a helpful tool. Write down what you eat and track any symptoms you experience to identify potential triggers.
- Medical Evaluation: Consult with a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or allergist, to receive a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. They can help you identify allergens and provide guidance on managing your diet and eczema.
It is important to note that dietary changes may not work for everyone with eczema, and there is no one-size-fits-all diet. Always discuss any major changes to your diet with a healthcare professional, especially if you have known food allergies or other health conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that can cause red, dry, itchy, and scaly skin. Small blisters can form, and the skin can split, causing pain.
While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for eczema, dietary changes can help manage symptoms for some people. It is important to note that dietary changes should be made in consultation with a doctor or dietitian to ensure adequate nutrition.
Dietary plans emphasizing whole and antioxidant-rich foods, such as an anti-inflammatory or Mediterranean diet, may help manage eczema symptoms. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily fish, can also help reduce inflammation.
It is recommended to avoid known allergens and trigger foods. Some people with eczema find relief by cutting out gluten, eggs, and shellfish. Additionally, diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates should be avoided as they promote inflammation.
Probiotics are gaining popularity for eczema, but the relationship is complex. While probiotics cannot cure eczema, they may help prevent it from developing in babies predisposed to the condition. Vitamin D supplements may also be beneficial, as low levels of vitamin D have been linked to eczema.
