Eczema usually appears with other disorders like asthma and hay fever. The only common link between eczema and these conditions is that some irritants or allergens trigger them.
According to one study, 33-63% of young children who already have eczema also have food allergies establishing the connection between food allergies and eczema. Hence it is essential to know the type of food to consume if you have a history of eczema.
This article shares tips on controlling eczema with diet and what to follow if you have a history of allergies or eczema.
What To Eat?
Since eczema is an inflammatory condition, there is a general belief that eating anti-inflammatory food could help manage the situation. Following a nutritious diet might help maintain overall health and ease symptoms of eczema. Following are some examples of anti-inflammatory food.
1. Fish
Consumption of fish may decrease the intensity of your symptoms, like inflammation. It is a natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. You should also consider supplementing your diet with omega-3 fatty acids.
It is recommended that the daily consumption of 250 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids helps in managing inflammatory eczema symptoms. Some recommended fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, herring, sardines, and tuna.
2. Food containing quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid that comes from plants. This means that it can reduce inflammation and histamine levels in your body. It is also a strong antihistamine and has antioxidant properties.
Examples of fruits and vegetables high in quercetin are:
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Kale
3. Probiotic food
Probiotics are groups of microorganisms that are alive and help your body in many ways by nourishing your gut microbes. It not only acts as a digestive aid, but research suggests it may also reduce inflammation.
Some examples of probiotic-rich food:
- Sourdough bread
- Miso soup
- Kefir
- Kombucha
- Sauerkraut
Read more– Probiotics and Prebiotics Diet
4. Flavonoids high food
Flavonoids are a group of natural substances that have anti-inflammatory properties and are found in the skin of various fruits and vegetables. Some examples are
- Tomatoes
- Soybeans
- Berries
- Red peppers
- Tea
Eczema Elimination Diet Plan
What you eat may not cause eczema but can worsen it. People with food allergies and sensitivities may experience inflammatory symptoms after consuming certain types of food. If a person is not allergic to a particular food, it may occur between 6 to 24 hours after consumption.
The foods which may cause eczema symptoms are as follows.
1. Foods with a lot of sugar
When you eat sugar, your insulin level goes up, which may cause inflammation. To avoid inflammation, you should avoid foods like soda, cakes, energy drinks, and chocolate if you have a history of eczema.
2. Avoid eating nuts
When you eat nuts, your body releases T cells and immunoglobulin-E, which can cause inflammation. So, people with a history of eczema, asthma, and hay fever should avoid peanuts, cashews nuts, almonds, and walnuts.
3. High-saturated fat and trans-fat foods
Trans fat is found in processed, margarine, and fast food, while saturated fat is found in red meat, butter, and full-fat dairy products. These two types of fat may promote inflammation and worsen eczema symptoms.
4. Milk
Milk is a common allergen that can affect people with various conditions, like eczema, asthma, and hay fever. Milk contains proteins that may act as allergens to trigger these conditions. Since most babies and children drink milk, it is essential to test them for milk allergies if they have a history of eczema.
5. Citrus fruit
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and other similar fruits are known to cause allergic reactions in many people. Citrus fruits contain chemicals that may worsen eczema symptoms, so you should avoid such fruits.
What are other ways that changing your lifestyle can help?
The significant goals of therapy for eczema are to keep the skin moist and rebuild the skin barrier. It might even get better if you make changes to your diet & lifestyle that relieve your irritation, itching, and stress which can help you think more positively about your better lifestyle.
Some dietary supplements, like fish oil, vitamin E, and vitamin D, have positively affected eczema symptoms.
Read more – Best Eczema Ointments and Creams for Your Dry, and Itchy Skin
Conclusion
While a person’s diet may not be an exact trigger for eczema, a proper diet can help manage and ease its symptoms. Making dietary changes and keeping track of symptoms may help a person to figure out whether these changes are helpful. Above mentioned eczema food diet plan for adults and children will improve your asthma symptoms and keep them under control.
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Disclaimer – The information given in this article is accurate to our best knowledge. Still, we recommend you consult your healthcare professional before taking any medication or dietary supplements mentioned in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anti-inflammatory food, flavonoid-containing food, and probiotics are some examples of food for eczema.
Food with high sugar and fat content, nuts, and milk are some examples of food to avoid for eczema.
Vitamin E and Vitamin D may help in managing eczema symptoms.
Yogurt is a natural probiotic that not only acts as a digestive aid but also may relieve eczema symptoms.
Yes, food with high sugar content may worsen eczema.
Yes, the inclusion of some food like high saturated fat, excessive sugar, and nuts may trigger eczema.
Dietary changes can not exactly cure, but they can manage eczema symptoms to the minimum.
Yes, inclusion of food like fish, fruits, and probiotics in your diet may improve eczema symptoms.
A diet that helps manage and keep eczema symptoms under control can be termed an eczema cure diet, but it is important to note that eczema can’t be cured, but it can be managed.
Eczema diet recipes should include anti-inflammatory, flavonoid-containing food and probiotics.
References
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