Foods That Worsen Eczema: What to Avoid

Did you know some foods might be making your eczema worse? Up to 30% of kids with eczema also have food allergies. These allergies can make eczema symptoms worse. If you’re having trouble with eczema, checking your diet for trigger foods could help.

For people with eczema, avoiding certain foods might help. There’s no cure for eczema, but creams and medicines can ease symptoms. Doctors might suggest avoiding foods that trigger eczema in about 30% of children with the condition.

It’s not clear why some foods affect eczema, but avoiding known allergens can help. A doctor might suggest skipping certain foods to ease eczema symptoms.

Key Takeaways

• Certain foods like nuts, milk, and wheat can trigger inflammation and worsen eczema symptoms.
• Common eczema-triggering foods include eggs, dairy, soy, citrus, tomatoes, gluten, and some spices.
• Food sensitivities can be difficult to pinpoint, as symptoms may not appear for 30 minutes to a couple of days after consumption.
• Conducting an elimination diet can help identify specific food allergens causing eczema flare-ups.
• Replacing trigger foods with anti-inflammatory options like omega-3 rich fish, flavonoid-rich produce, and probiotic-rich fermented foods may help manage eczema.

Eczema Triggers and Dietary Factors

Eczema is a chronic condition that affects the skin. It can be influenced by what we eat. While research is ongoing, understanding diet’s role is key to managing eczema.

Overview of Eczema and Diet

Eczema is an inflammatory skin disorder. Some think an anti-inflammatory diet can help. But, the proof is not clear-cut.

A study on children found that eating pro-inflammatory foods made eczema worse. Yet, more research is needed. Still, eating a diet full of whole foods is good for health and might help with eczema.

Potential Role of Food Allergies and Sensitivities

For some, certain foods can trigger inflammation and eczema. Even if not allergic, eating these foods can cause delayed skin issues. Avoiding these foods is key to managing eczema.

Common Food Allergens that Can Worsen Eczema	Symptoms
Cow’s milk, eggs, wheat, and peanuts	Immediate or delayed skin irritation, redness, and inflammation

Not all people with eczema get worse from food allergies or sensitivities. Talking to a healthcare professional or dietitian can help find and manage dietary triggers.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Eczema

If you have eczema, eating anti-inflammatory foods can really help. These foods can calm your skin and lessen the redness and itchiness of eczema.

Fish High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel are full of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids fight inflammation. Adding these eczema-friendly fish to your meals might ease your symptoms.

Probiotic-Rich Foods

Keeping your gut healthy is key for your overall health, including your skin. Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi are probiotic-rich. They can help keep your gut health in check and might reduce eczema flare-ups.

Foods Containing Flavonoids

Flavonoids are anti-inflammatory compounds from plants. You can find them in colorful fruits and veggies. Foods like berries, apples, broccoli, and green tea are flavonoid-rich. Adding these to your eczema-friendly diet could help soothe your skin.

Anti-Inflammatory Food	Key Nutrients	Benefits for Eczema
Salmon	Omega-3 fatty acids	Reduces inflammation and soothes irritated skin
Yogurt	Probiotics	Supports gut health and may ease eczema symptoms
Blueberries	Flavonoids	Provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

“Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your diet may be a powerful way to manage eczema and promote overall skin health.”

Diet Plans to Consider for Managing Eczema

If you’re struggling with eczema, changing your diet could really help. Let’s look at some diet plans that might ease your symptoms and boost your skin health.

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is great for fighting inflammation, making it a top pick for eczema sufferers. It’s all about eating whole foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, fish, and healthy fats from olive oil. Cutting down on processed foods, red meat, and white carbs can also help lessen inflammation and ease eczema.

Gluten-Free Diet

For some, gluten can trigger eczema. A gluten-free diet means saying goodbye to foods with wheat, rye, and barley. This can be good for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, as it lowers inflammation and betters skin health.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This diet is all about eating foods that fight inflammation. Think leafy greens, colorful veggies, berries, whole grains, soy, legumes, and nuts. It also skips foods that can cause inflammation, like refined grains, sugars, processed foods, and red meats. Eating this way can lessen eczema symptoms and boost overall health.

Diet Plan	Key Features	Potential Benefits for Eczema
Mediterranean Diet	Emphasizes whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, fish, and healthy fats	Anti-inflammatory properties, may help reduce eczema symptoms
Gluten-Free Diet	Eliminates foods containing wheat, rye, and barley	May be beneficial for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, can help reduce inflammation
Anti-Inflammatory Diet	Focuses on foods rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, avoids inflammatory foods	May help reduce inflammation and alleviate eczema symptoms

Always talk to a healthcare pro before big diet changes, especially if you have severe eczema or other health issues. They can give you advice tailored to your needs, helping you find the best diet for your eczema.

Elimination Diets to Identify Trigger Foods

If you’re struggling with eczema, an elimination diet could help find out what foods might be causing problems. This means avoiding certain foods or groups for a while, then adding them back in one by one to see how your skin reacts.

The steps for an elimination diet are simple:

1. Stop eating a food or group you think might be a problem for 2-4 weeks.
2. Watch your skin closely during this time, keeping track of what you eat and any changes in your eczema.
3. Slowly start eating the food you stopped, watching for any signs of eczema getting worse.
4. If your skin gets worse, that food is likely an eczema trigger for you. Avoid it and try another food.

Studies show that elimination diets can help some people with eczema. In one study, 262 out of 675 adults with eczema felt better after a month on an elimination diet. Even years later, 144 of these patients still had fewer symptoms.

But not all eczema is caused by food sensitivities. Mild cases often don’t have food allergies. Also, cutting out foods can lead to missing out on important nutrients. So, it’s smart to talk to a healthcare professional before starting an elimination diet.

If you think certain foods are making your eczema worse, trying an elimination diet might help. But make sure to talk to your doctor or a dietitian for advice and support.

Nickel Allergy and Its Relation to Eczema

If you have a nickel allergy, you might find it surprises you that it can make eczema worse. Nickel often causes allergic contact dermatitis. Eating foods high in nickel can also lead to reactions that make eczema symptoms worse.

Foods High in Nickel

Some foods naturally have more nickel, which can be a problem for those allergic to nickel. These include:

• Whole grains, such as whole wheat, oats, and brown rice
• Legumes, including beans, lentils, and soybeans
• Nuts and seeds
• Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale
• Certain fruits, such as dried figs, plums, and pineapples
• Shellfish and processed meats with coatings or fillers
• Chocolate, cocoa powder, and black tea

Research has found a link between how much nickel you eat and eczema flare-ups in nickel allergy sufferers. Even small amounts of nickel can cause eczema symptoms for some people.

Nickel Dose	Reaction Rate in Nickel-Sensitive Individuals
0.3 mg	40%
1 mg	40%
4 mg	70%

For those with a nickel allergy, eating a low-nickel diet and avoiding nickel items can help manage eczema. Talking to a nutritionist can ensure you get the nutrients you need while avoiding nickel.

Birch Pollen Sensitization and Oral Allergy Syndrome

If you have eczema, be careful with birch pollen. About 8-16% of people are allergic to birch pollen. They might get oral allergy syndrome (OAS) from eating certain foods.

Birch trees release a lot of pollen, causing allergies like sneezing and stuffy nose. But some people get more symptoms. They might feel itchy in their mouth or throat after eating foods like fruits or nuts.

This can make eczema triggers worse. Up to 70% of those allergic to birch pollen react to some foods. Luckily, OAS usually only affects the mouth and throat. But in some cases, it can be very serious.

See an allergist if you think you have a birch pollen allergy or OAS. They can test you and help you manage your symptoms. This can include changing your diet, taking medicine, or immunotherapy to help your eczema.

Statistic	Value
Birch pollen allergy prevalence	8-16% of the population
Birch pollen production	5 billion pollen grains annually
Oral Allergy Syndrome prevalence in pollen allergies	9.6% to 55% worldwide
Severe OAS reactions (anaphylaxis)	Up to 1.7% of cases
Birch-allergic individuals developing food allergies	Around 70%

which foods worsen eczema

If you have eczema, you know some foods can make it worse. Foods like nuts, dairy, citrus fruits, and tomatoes can trigger inflammation and make eczema symptoms worse. Knowing which foods to avoid is key to managing this condition.

Studies show that up to 30% of people with eczema also have food allergies. These allergies can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, if not managed. Common allergens include nuts, milk, wheat, eggs, soy, and some seafood. For those with eczema, it’s hard to tell if you’re allergic or just sensitive to certain foods.

Other foods that can trigger eczema include:

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes
• Tomatoes and tomato-based products
• Gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, and rye
• Spices and seasonings that can be irritants

For those with dyshidrotic eczema, foods high in nickel can also worsen symptoms. These include canned meats, chocolate, seeds, beans, shellfish, and black tea.

Trying an elimination diet or food allergy tests can help find your eczema triggers. This can improve your skin health. But, always talk to a healthcare provider before changing your diet. They can help ensure you’re making the right choices for your health.

Nutritional Considerations and Supplementation

Eliminating trigger foods can help ease eczema symptoms. But, it’s key to work with a healthcare pro to make sure your diet is complete. Supplements like vitamins D and E, and fish oil might help, but their effects on eczema are still being studied.

Probiotics are another topic. They might help with eczema, but the proof isn’t solid. Still, they’re safe and could be good to try since gut health is important for managing eczema.

The Role of Gut Health and Probiotics

Gut health is key to a strong immune system, which fights eczema. Most immune cells live in the gut. Probiotics can balance gut bacteria, improve digestion, and might lessen eczema symptoms.

• Studies show that probiotics in infancy or for pregnant and nursing moms can lower eczema risk.
• Probiotics and prebiotics could ease eczema symptoms, but we need more research to know the best kinds and amounts.

Dietary Supplements for Eczema

Supplements like vitamin D, fish oil, evening primrose oil, and borage seed oil might help with eczema, but we’re still learning. Some people say these supplements have made their eczema better.

Supplement	Potential Benefits for Eczema
Vitamin D	Boosts immune function and lessens inflammation
Fish Oil	Gives anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids
Evening Primrose Oil	Has gamma-linolenic acid, which might cut down on inflammation
Borage Seed Oil	Also has gamma-linolenic acid and could help reduce inflammation

Always talk to a healthcare pro before starting new supplements. They can help figure out the right dose and make sure they’re safe with your other meds or health issues.

Conclusion

There is no single diet that works for everyone with eczema. But, eating foods that fight inflammation and are full of nutrients can really help. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants like quercetin can lessen inflammation and eczema symptoms.

It’s key to work with your healthcare provider when changing your diet. This ensures you get the nutrients you need and manage your eczema well. Tests like elimination diets and food challenges can help find out what foods trigger your eczema. This knowledge lets you make better choices about what to eat.

Even though some foods can make eczema worse, eating a balanced diet is important for your skin’s health. By focusing on anti-inflammatory foods and working with your healthcare team, you can better manage your eczema. This can improve your life quality a lot.

FAQ

What foods can worsen eczema symptoms?

Foods like nuts, milk, wheat, eggs, dairy, soy, citrus, tomatoes, gluten, and some spices can make eczema worse. They release compounds that cause inflammation.

How can I identify trigger foods for my eczema?

Try an elimination diet to avoid certain foods for a few weeks. Then, add them back one by one to see reactions. Keeping a food and symptom journal helps too.

What is the role of food allergies and sensitivities in eczema?

About 30% of kids with eczema also have food allergies. Food allergies and sensitivities can make eczema worse. Avoiding these foods can help manage symptoms.

What are some anti-inflammatory foods that may help with eczema?

Omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods like salmon, herring, and mackerel can reduce inflammation. Probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi also help. Plus, foods with flavonoids, such as berries, apples, broccoli, and green tea, are anti-inflammatory.

What types of diets may be helpful for managing eczema?

The Mediterranean diet, gluten-free diet, and anti-inflammatory diet can help with eczema. These diets focus on whole foods and avoid processed foods, refined grains, and sugars.

Can supplements help with eczema?

Supplements like vitamins D and E, and fish oil might help with eczema, but research is limited. Probiotic supplements could also be beneficial, but more studies are needed.

How does a nickel allergy relate to eczema?

Nickel allergies can cause eczema symptoms from touching nickel items or eating foods with nickel. Foods like whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables can trigger reactions.

What is the connection between birch pollen sensitivity and eczema?

Some people sensitive to birch pollen may react to certain foods, causing eczema symptoms. This is more common in children with eczema.