How Diet Affects Eczema and What You Can Do to Avoid Flare-Ups

If you or a member of your family has eczema, you know very well how frustrating it can be, dealing with itchy and dry patches of skin. 

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is usually caused by inflammation in the body. That means it is a good idea to maintain a diet that is free from any inflammatory food items. 

While there is no cure, you can find eczema relief from creams or lotions like SmartLotion®. Still, for a holistic approach, your doctor might recommend that you avoid foods that are known to trigger or exacerbate eczema flare-ups. 

To help you keep your eczema at bay, here’s a quick guide on what foods you should eat and which ones you should avoid:

Foods You Should Eat

An anti-eczema diet should include anti-inflammatory foods, like:

Fish High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids that are effective in fighting inflammation in your body can be good for you if you have eczema. Some of the best ones to include in your weekly menu are albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, salmon, and sardines. 

Probiotics

Some foods are high in probiotics which are good bacteria that help improve gut health. You can include yogurt with live cultures, tempeh, and other fermented food or drinks like kombucha, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut. 

Foods High in Flavonoids

Flavonoids can be found in colorful fruits and vegetables, including apples, broccoli, cherries, kale, spinach, and more. 

Inflammatory Foods That You Should Try to Avoid

As mentioned, if there are foods that are good for your eczema, there are also those that can trigger a reaction or worsen a flare-up after you eat them. Usually, breakouts due to food occur anywhere between six and 24 hours after consumption. The reaction may also be delayed. 

To best determine what specific food items are triggering a reaction, your doctor will likely recommend that you do an elimination diet which involves cutting some common foods that are recognized to cause flare-ups. 

Before you eliminate any food item from your diet, though, you first need to slowly add each item into your diet and monitor your skin reaction for a month or two to see if you are sensitive to it. 

Some of the most common trigger food items include:

• Dairy
• Eggs
• Certain citrus fruits
• Gluten
• Nuts
• Soy
• Spices
• Tomatoes
• Wheat

Allergy testing may also be suggested by your doctor. It’s possible for a person who is not allergic to a particular food item to be sensitive to it after repeated consumption or exposure. This is known as food-responsive eczema. 

Dietary Supplements for Eczema

According to research, taking probiotic supplements may help reduce symptoms of eczema, but further studies are needed to determine the dosage required for this and how effective it is. Aside from probiotics, fish oil and some Chinese herbal supplements have also been studied, but neither has shown a massive difference in eczema flare-ups. 

Conclusion

What a person eats doesn’t always trigger eczema; some do experience eczema relief after making some changes in their diet. By making changes as mentioned above and monitoring the results, you can figure out what specific foods work for you and which ones trigger your eczema. You might also want to speak with your doctor about any supplements that you can try. Of course, do not forget to apply the best lotion for eczema that you can get your hands on right now. 

SmartLotion® is the best lotion for eczema that can help you recover from the signs of this condition and help prevent flare-ups, too. Check out Harlan MD’s guide and try SmartLotion® today!