Eczema Diet Foods

Eczema or dermatitis is a group of skin disorders that leave skin inflamed, dry and itchy. Some forms of the condition include atopic dermatitis---the most prevalent eczema---seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction that occurs when you come into contact with a particular substance. Topical medications such as corticosteroids, antibiotics and antihistamines are common treatments for eczema, However, you may also gain some relief from a few dietary changes.

Omega-3 Foods

According to Paul Pitchford, author of Healing with Whole Foods, poor fat metabolism is a common cause of skin diseases such as eczema. He recommends foods rich in essential fatty acids, or EFAs, such a omega-3 for treating eczema.One possible reason EFAs may relieve eczema is that they help to control inflammation, according to the National Institutes of Health. Good sources of these healthy fats are fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring; nuts; seeds; and algae such as spirulina or chlorella.

Gamma Linolenic Acid Foods

Gamma linolenic acid, or GLA, is an omega-6 EFA that may also help to heal eczema. This fat contains a metabolite called dihomogammalinolenic acid that modulates and balances the immune system, according to the authors of Prescriptions for Drug Alternatives. Some of the foods that contain GLA include black currant oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil. The National Institutes of Health notes that evening primrose oil is approved for eczema treatment in many countries other than the U.S. While there have been several studies on evening primrose oil for eczema, the National Insitutes of Health experts point out that larger studies are needed.

Fruits and Vegetables

For overall health, you should eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. When you have eczema you get even more benefit from a varied plant foods diet. Foods rich in beta-carotene or provitamin A are very beneficial for treating inflammatory skin conditions, explains Pitchford. Plus, dark green vegetables are loaded with chlorophyll, which plays a role in purifying the blood and removing toxins that can lead to skin eruptions. Add more foods such as beet greens, carrots, dandelion greens, chard, kale, spinach and pumpkin to your daily diet for overall health and eczema relief.

In some cases changing your diet to treat eczema may be more about what to avoid than what to eat. The National Eczema Association points out that some foods can trigger eczema flare-ups. Food allergies differ from person to person. Monitor your flare-ups to see if they tend to occur when you eat a particular food. Also, undergoing an allergy test to identify trigger foods can give you better control over eczema. (Ref 1)