Eczema is a skin condition characterized by scaling, itching, redness and inflammation. This condition can be caused by an allergic response that is disproportionately larger than normal and is often inherited. Severe eczema can cause lesions that open on the surface of your skin that leave you vulnerable to infiltration by bacteria. Treatment for eczema typically includes medications to temper the allergic response, such as antihistamines. Red radishes, which are naturally high in several beneficial nutrients, might help relieve symptoms of eczema. Check with your physician before using red radish to treat your eczema.
Eczema
Atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema; it is also known as atopic dermatitis. This condition, according to the National Institutes of Health, is usually caused by an allergic response that leads to chronic inflammation of the surface of your skin. People who have eczema also tend to have a history of allergies, hay fever and asthma. Although not the direct cause of the hypersensitivity of the immune system, extreme temperatures, drying of the skin and emotional stress can make symptoms worse. Symptoms generally include itching and redness of the skin but left untreated, can lead to openings that are painful and can lead to thickening of the skin.
Beneficial Nutrients in Red Radishes
Red radishes have been used as a food staple item for thousands of years and are valued for their slightly spicy flavor. Related to the turnip, radishes are a rich source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Radishes are also a source of iron and calcium and the juice of these root vegetables is used to treat conditions such as asthma, sinus problems and eczema, according to The Juicing Book. Harvard Medical School adds that radishes also have antioxidant properties that can boost immunity and neutralize potentially harmful free radicals.
Red Radishes for Eczema
No direct association links red radishes as a remedy for eczema, but several of the substances naturally found in radishes might help reduce the incidence and severity of the condition. A half cup of sliced radishes contains about 15 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, might help improve the functioning of the immune system and might facilitate faster healing of open wounds. Vitamin C might also help treat allergic conditions, including eczema and hay fever.
Considerations
Because eczema is an allergic condition, it's important to identify potential causes of the reaction, which can include certain foods. For most people, eating red radishes isn't a problem and rarely causes an allergic response. According to the National Institutes of Health, eczema commonly begins in childhood, and as a child matures, the condition appears to decline in incidence and severity. Eczema tends to worsen or flare up in the winter months in people who experience drying of the skin because of decreased heat and humidity. Eating red radishes, particularly in the winter, might help offset the development of eczema or worsening of its symptoms.
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