How Watching What You Eat Can Help Control Eczema

Dry, itchy, scaly skin. That’s what 31 million people in the United States experience when they have an eczema flare-up. Thanks to advancements in research and a better understanding of eczema, treatments are improving, helping so many patients get relief from their symptoms.

At Orange Coast Dermatology in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, and Mission Viejo, California, our team of skilled dermatology experts also considers lifestyle changes an important part of your eczema treatment plan. 

There’s no special diet for eczema, but you may notice certain foods trigger a flare-up. Further, certain foods may help manage inflammation.

October is Eczema Awareness Month, and we’re taking this opportunity to explain how watching what you eat can help control eczema.

Identifying and avoiding food triggers

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition (dermatitis) that causes varying symptoms based on type. Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis are types of eczema. 

The inflammation and skin changes that occur with eczema are driven by a number of factors, including genetics, environment, and an immune system that overreacts to irritants or allergens. 

Though scientists are still investigating the food and eczema connection, some people with food allergies may experience symptoms that affect the skin, causing an inflammatory skin rash. Paying attention to the foods you eat and skin changes may help you identify foods that trigger an allergic skin reaction.

You can get tested for food allergies to identify the foods triggering your symptoms. If you don’t have food allergies, it’s unlikely that food is triggering your symptoms. 

Anti-inflammatory foods to ease eczema symptoms

It’s no secret that food affects health. Beyond heart disease and high blood pressure, the foods you choose to eat may also increase or decrease inflammation. Though inflammation is part of your body’s healing process, chronic inflammation may lead to health problems or worsen inflammatory skin conditions.

Anti-inflammatory foods contain nutrients that may reduce inflammation and ease some of your eczema symptoms. Examples of anti-inflammatory foods include:

• Omega-3 rich foods like salmon, tuna, and walnuts
• Polyphenol (powerful antioxidant) foods like blueberries, spinach, and green tea
• Foods rich in vitamin C like oranges, tomatoes, and bell peppers
• Yogurt, kefir, and kimchi for probiotics

Eating a balanced diet that includes more colorful plant foods may help ease your eczema symptoms by providing the body with the nutrients needed to reduce inflammation. 

Managing eczema goes beyond your diet

Making changes to your diet can help your health, but it isn’t a cure for eczema and may not prevent all flare-ups. Using gentle soap, keeping your skin moisturized, and managing stress are also steps you can take to improve skin health.

You may also need medical interventions to manage your eczema, such as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, immunosuppressant drugs to reduce the immune system reaction, or light therapy to manage flare-ups.

Eczema affects everyone differently, and no single treatment works for all. If your skin condition is affecting your quality of life, let us help you develop a plan to reduce symptoms, improve skin health, and get your life back. 

Call us today or use the link on this website to schedule an appointment online.