The exact causes of the inflammatory skin condition known as eczema remain unknown; however, it appears to stem from an improper immune system response similar to an allergic reaction. In fact, most people who suffer from eczema also have allergies. Because inflammation appears to trigger the condition, taking steps to ease this symptom becomes an important part of your treatment arsenal along with medications, stress management, and avoiding environmental triggers. While no official eczema diet exists, making certain dietary changes can help prevent outbreaks.
How Diet Influences Inflammation
The foods you eat contain an array of vitamins, minerals, chemicals and compounds, some of which encourage inflammation in the body. While your diet cannot completely control the inflammatory process, making a concerted effort to avoid or cut back on certain foods can make a significant difference.
Considerations for Food Allergies
The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, notes that people with eczema often have food allergies as well. Some problematic foods for many people include tomatoes, eggs, corn, fish, dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts and wheat. Avoiding foods that produce an allergy or sensitivity can reduce inflammation and allergic reactions, both of which trigger eczema outbreaks. Consider getting tested for food allergies or experiment with an elimination diet under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care practitioner to ensure you do it properly. This involves cutting out certain foods and gradually adding them back into your diet while recording the results.
Cutting Back on Inflammatory Foods
Integrative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil and the UMMC recommend cutting back on foods that promote the inflammatory response in the body if you have eczema. Animal products contain saturated fats, acids and other components that trigger inflammation in the body. You do not have to cut out these foods completely, but instead aim to include more plant-based proteins in the diet.
Vegetables oils rich in polyunsaturated fats contain high levels of Omega-6 fatty acids; your body uses these fats to make prostaglandins, hormones involved in the inflammation process. Your body makes two kinds, and an excess amount of these fats leads to increased production of the pro-inflammatory versions. Problematic oils include sunflower, safflower, corn and mixed vegetable oils, which are found in many snack foods.
"Bad" carbohydrates, such as white flour foods and sugary treats/drinks, lead to spikes in blood sugar and insulin. This process also promotes inflammation, notes Weil.
Beneficial Foods
Choose healthy fats that reduce inflammation in the body, including cooking oils rich in monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil and canola oil, nuts and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, walnuts, flaxseed, hempseed and whole soy products, combat inflammation. Antioxidants, abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables, also fight inflammation and cell damage in the body. Choosing whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal and whole wheat---if you're not allergic---over refined carbohydrates will promote steady blood sugar levels and reduce the inflammatory effects of the rapid release of glucose into the bloodstream.
Experimenting with Dairy
Weil recommends anyone suffering from allergies or any disorders that stem from improper immune function to experiment with eliminating dairy from their diet. Casein, the protein found in milk, can irritate the immune system and exacerbate these types of conditions. If you do choose to try this approach, make sure you include other calcium-rich items in your diet such as nuts, leafy greens and calcium-fortified foods and beverages. You might also consider taking a calcium supplement.
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