Eczema, a skin condition that causes itchy, red rashes, can lead to lots of discomfort and frustration. The constant scratching eczema encourages may lead to damaged skin, infection, and lost sleep, says the American Academy of Dermatology. Because eczema is associated with food allergies, you may be able to prevent it from flaring up by changing your diet.
Test for Food Allergies
It's important to undergo medical tests to determine what food allergies may be contributing to your eczema, and to get an official diagnosis from a doctor so you can focus on eliminating the right foods from your diet to try to prevent eczema. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends talking with a dermatologist before eliminating specific foods, so the dermatologist can monitor the effect of avoiding those foods.
Avoid Milk and Dairy Products
Allergies to milk and the dairy products made from milk, such as cheese and yogurt, are commonly associated with eczema, reports the American Academy of Dermatology. Try eliminating milk and dairy products for about two weeks to observe how that affects your skin, but keep in mind that milk is used in a wide variety of products --- from butter to ice cream --- so you should be sure to eliminate all dairy products from your diet. You can replace cow's milk and dairy products with alternatives like milk made from rice or nuts and goat cheese, suggests Eczema Natural Healing.com.
Avoid Meats and Seafood
Eliminating meats and seafood from your diet may also help prevent eczema. Meats like beef, pork, and chicken produce acid in your body that can trigger eczema, reports Eczema Natural Healing.com. Eczema.org reports that allergies to all types of fish may trigger eczema in both children and adults, and suggests avoiding fish for approximately two weeks to see if that diet change prevents eczema.
Avoid Nuts
Because nut allergies are also associated with eczema, you may prevent eczema from flaring up if you avoid eating nuts. Peanuts and tree nuts, in particular, may trigger eczema, reports Eczema.org, which advises eliminating nuts from your diet for two weeks to see how that affects your skin. Be sure to read food labels carefully to find out whether or not products have been manufactured in a facility that processes nuts; if they have, they can become cross-contaminated with nuts and cause an allergic reaction when you eat them.
