Eczema is an itchy, rashy skin condition that makes life uncomfortable and sometimes just plain miserable for about 10% of women, men, and kids in the United States. If you have eczema, your skin may be:
You’re more likely to have eczema if you already have allergies or asthma. Even though eczema falls into various types, most seem to be driven by a disorder of the immune system that results in your body attacking your skin, causing inflammation, pain, and itchiness.
If you have eczema, you want relief. Catherine Fuller, MD, expertly diagnoses and treats all forms of eczema at her office in West Los Angeles, California. She also recommends that you pay attention to your diet to try to minimize your exposure to allergens and triggers.
Can you change your diet to change your skin? Following are a few tips about how best to tweak your eating habits to keep your skin comfortable and flare-free.
Fat has had a bad reputation over the past few decades, but you need good, healthy fats to build good, healthy cells — including skin cells. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly good for your skin and should help protect you against eczema flares. Eat more:
You may also benefit from a fish-, cod-liver, or krill-oil supplement if you find it difficult to obtain your omega-3s from food alone. If you’re a vegetarian, you can try algal oil.
Now carbs have the bad rep, but, again, there are good carbs and bad carbs. Bad carbs are simple carbohydrates — such as sugar and white flour — which rapidly turn into glucose and spike your blood sugar.
Good carbs are complex carbohydrates that contain fiber and take longer to digest. Good carbs slowly release their glucose, helping you avoid blood-sugar spikes. Try:
Broccoli and cherries have an anti-allergy bonus: They contain a chemical called quercetin that has antioxidant and antihistamine properties.
When you change your diet to help your skin, you may miss the flavors of ultra-processed foods and other favorites, such as sugary desserts and beverages. Luckily, spices can compensate for those losses.
Start adding spices to your sweet and savory dishes to add more of a kick and to help your immune system, too. Try cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger on a variety of your favorite dishes.
If you have eczema, testing can help you identify food allergies that could set off a flare of your disease. Until you get your results, though, you can start by avoiding or eliminating common triggers — check food labels for potentially problematic ingredients — and substituting more benign versions:
Also watch for your own reactions. If you eat your favorite meal, do you feel itchy afterward? It may take some detective work to identify which foods are the culprit. Try keeping a food diary to help you narrow down the sources for your flares.
In the midst of adding in this and taking away that, be sure you’re still eating a balanced diet. That means prioritizing healthy protein, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables and fruits. Make sure you drink sufficient water.
The healthier your body is, the healthier your skin is. In fact, an eczema flare-up can be a sign that something is off kilter — either you’ve been exposed to an allergen or you’re under too much stress.
Are you interested in learning more about how to control eczema and subdue symptoms when they appear? Contact our helpful team at Catherine Fuller, MD, for eczema treatment and allergy testing today.
