Should people with eczema avoid certain foods?

By Dr. Stuart Min and Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Can I control eczema through diet?

Are there foods that trigger eczema?

Is my baby’s eczema really a food allergy?

These are common questions I get as a doctor and pediatrician specializing in dermatological issues. While there are no clear-cut yes/no answers in the uncertain connection between food and eczema, there is plenty of good information you can apply to your own case – or your baby’s case of eczema – to understand whether you should avoid certain foods for the sake of skin health. 

However, regardless of how diet may impact your eczema and overall health, it is still recommended to keep a safe and effective body wash for eczema handy to soothe the symptoms.

So if you’re ready to skin-sleuth, here are the facts you need to know.

Are Eczema and Food Allergies Connected?

It helps to look at Allergies and Eczema like cousins… often seen together but not necessarily related. Yes, adults and babies with eczema often suffer from hay fever and allergies as well. But you can have food allergies without eczema and eczema without food allergies.

Up to one in three kids with eczema do have a food allergy that can worsen symptoms. And some research indicates food allergies can cause eczema in young children. But after age 3 or 4, that’s considered rare.

So what if you suspect food may be triggering your or your child’s eczema?

Should People With Eczema Avoid Certain Foods?

The answer to this little question is very complicated. One thing that might work for you or your child may not benefit others. It depends from person to person. Just like it’s not essential that if you have eczema, you will have a food allergy, there is no rule that avoiding certain foods will for sure help your eczema. 

You must understand that eczema is caused and triggered by a combination of factors, such as an impaired skin barrier, environmental triggers, and an overactive immune system. Even though there is not much research available to prove that certain foods can cause a flare-up, there are people who claim that consuming a certain type of food triggered their eczema or made their symptoms worse. 

There are the foods that people commonly claim are the cause of a flare-up

• Cow milk
• Peanuts
• Eggs
• Soy
• Wheat 
• Shellfish

However, before you eliminate any of these food items from your or your baby’s diet it is important that you consult an allergist, pediatrician, or family practitioner first so they can check for food allergies or sensitivity. 

A purely allergic reaction to dairy products, eggs, nuts, soy or wheat can cause problems that ‘look’ like eczema, but it’s not the same and will require different treatment.

Finding Eczema Food Triggers

This is where it gets tricky. Removing the right foods could make a big difference. Removing too many foods can deprive a growing child of essential nutrients and not necessarily help.

Just because you verify a food allergy doesn’t necessarily mean that food will trigger eczema symptoms. I’ve had patients who’ve identified eczema triggers as foods to which they have no allergy.

For some folks who suspect a food-eczema link, step one might be turning to your pediatrician and looping in an allergist to confirm whether your child has any food allergies or sensitivities.

Now if your child has tested negative for food allergies but still suspects that their eczema worsens after consuming certain foods, then work with a doctor on what can be done to find the exact food or trigger. One of the most commonly used ways to figure out the exact eczema trigger is trying the elimination diet.

Elimination Diet

Like a good sleuth, be observant, keep notes of what you or your baby ate before an eczema flare, and watch for patterns.

One method for evaluating food triggers for eczema is an elimination diet done in coordination with your doctor. It’s a methodical trial and error process as you work through several potential food triggers, but a proven way to confirm whether a food is a definite eczema trigger and has to come off the menu for good.

You can do this by

• By keeping a journal of everything you eat, and listing down the foods that you notice are possibly making your symptoms worse.
• Then eliminate all of the potential trigger foods from your diet and note down if that made any difference for your eczema. 
• After that, one by one, start introducing the possible triggering foods back into your diet.
• Make sure to put a gap of a few days before you introduce the next food item because sometimes the reaction can take more than one day to take place. 
• If you notice your symptoms becoming worse, an eczema flareup after intrintroducing a food item, then you have possibly found the culprit. 

According to some researchers eliminating food from your diet can make you more prone to developing allergic reactions towards that food. So it is important that you try this diet only after the consultation with a doctor.

Foods to Eat if You Have Eczema

As eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, some researchers believe adding anti-inflammatory foods into your diet can be beneficial for your health and eczema. 

Some people are allergic to some eczema-friendly foods, and adding them to your diet can lead to an allergic reaction. So it’s always a trial and error case. 

Certain types of foods that are considered good for eczema are

• Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids

The three main types of omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. 

Some foods that contain these are:

1. Salmon
2. Sardines
3. Tuna
4. Flaxseeds
5. Canola oil
6. Kale
7. Walnuts
8. Spinach 

• Foods that contain quercetin

Quercetin is a plant based flavonoid. It is an effective antioxidant and can help reduce inflammation in the body. According to the Medical News Today adding these foods into your diet is good for eczema.

1. Tomatoes
2. Red pepper
3. Tea
4. Citrus fruits
5. Red grapes
6. Dark cherries

• Probiotic-rich foods

Foods rich in probiotics can help strengthen your immune system and may help with a flare-up. These foods include:

1. Naturally fermented pickles
2. Tempeh
3. Kefir
4. Miso soup 

Managing Eczema

Remember 2 out of 3 kids with eczema don’t have a food allergy at all. You can eliminate foods that create scratching or find no trigger foods at all, and symptoms persist.

It’s all trial and error, remember? It’s always worth trying different tactics to help your child or yourself. Don’t be disheartened if a particular diet doesn’t yield results. Stick with the other things your doctor recommends.

As the medical community continues to explore the link between food and eczema, you’ll hear a lot of new, unproven and possibly conflicting information. But until that next proven breakthrough, stick to proven hygiene and lifestyle habits that help with eczema. 

Always take extra good care of your skin if you or your baby are prone to eczema. You can easily do this by 

• Following a proper eczema skincare routine. 
• Keeping your skin clean and taking a bath daily or at least three times a week with an eczema shampoo and body wash. 
• Moisturizing your skin twice daily or as required if your skin becomes dry more often with a hypoallergenic eczema cream.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin hydrated.
• Use gentle, fragrance-free detergents to wash clothes.
• Avoid wearing skin-irritating fabrics or tight clothing. 
• Protecting your skin from the sun by covering your body while going out or using sunscreen.
• Humidify the air inside your room, house, or office especially when the climate gets cold and indoor heaters are used. 
• Avoid common environmental triggers like pet dander, dust mites, humidity, and tobacco smoke

Conclusion

There is no definite answer for whether people with eczema should avoid certain foods or not. It varies from person to person and depends on their condition. Some people may experience eczema flares up from consuming certain food, then it is best to avoid it. While some may get an allergic reaction from certain food items and confuse it for eczema. 

Remember you’re around triggers every day, and it’s often hard to tell if the problem is food or other triggers. Be observant, listen to your body, lean on your medical experts, be patient and don’t forget that the best treatment for eczema is taking care of your skin with eczema moisturizers. 

Choose a moisturizing cream for eczema that is free from any harsh chemicals like paraben, sulfate, phthalates, dye, and fragrance and can help soothe the itching, irritation, and redness associated with eczema.

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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