Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, can cause thickened, scaly, itching skin. When the small, raised bumps of eczema begin to ooze and leak fluid, the condition is referred to as weeping eczema. If you think your eczema is infected, or if your skin is very painful, see your doctor. Certain foods and preservatives may trigger eczema, while other foods may alleviate it. Consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian to work out a diet that may help control your eczema.
Avoid Common Triggers
Milk, eggs, nuts, tomatoes and cereals can aggravate eczema in people with food sensitivities; if this is the case for you, avoid those foods. In a study conducted at University College and Middlesex Hospital school of Medicine in London and published in the August 1991 issue of Quarterly Journal of Medicine, researchers reported that 74 percent of eczema patients experienced improvement in their eczema after stopping cows' milk, eggs, and tomatoes. In a second study, conducted in Rome in 1990 and published in Recenti Progressi in Medicina, researchers found that 93 percent of the subjects improved after cutting out nuts, tomatoes, milk, eggs and cereals. According to Food Intolerance, the casein in milk and the gluten in wheat and rye can contribute to eczema. You should consult with a dietitian or physician to make sure that your diet remains nutritionally adequate after cutting out these foods.
Limit Vasodilatories
According to Volume 9 of Dermatology Online Journal, anything that dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow through the skin can generate itching for eczema sufferers. Limit your consumption of alcohol, spicy foods, and hot drinks, or eliminate them entirely.
Essential Fatty Acids
Cold water fish--such as salmon--contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can be beneficial for eczema. According to the National Center for Biotechnological Information, a 1986 study published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that dietary supplementation with essential fatty acids relieved signs and symptoms of atopic eczema. Evening primrose oil is rich in an omega-6 fatty acid known as GLA, or gamma linolenic acid; flaxseed oil is also an excellent source of essential fats. Consult with your doctor before embarking on a supplementary regimen; supplements can have side effects and interfere with prescription medications.
Sulfites
Avoid highly processed foods, especially those with sulfites--compounds that are widely used as preservatives in food. Sauerkraut, dried apricots, molasses and grape juice contain high levels of sulfites. In a study conducted at the Australian University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and published in the November, 2009 issue of Clinical and Experimental Allergy, researchers found that exposure to sulfites can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals, and may contribute to to chronic skin conditions.
References
- National Center for Biotechnological Information: Clinical Effects of Sulphite Additives
- National Center for Biotechnological Information: Children with Atopic Eczema
- National Center for Biotechnological Information: Increased Requirements for Essential Fatty Acids in Atopic Individuals
- National Center for Biotechnological Information: Eczema and Food Allergy
- Food Intolerance: Which Foods Cause Eczema?
