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Inflammation diets for eczema: Separating fact from fiction
Is an eczema diet a thing? Is there even a connection between food and eczema? What should the EHQ Team order for lunch? With so many health blogs and influencers out there, it can be tough to know who to trust. So, we set out to get to the bottom of the matter. Here’s what we learned.
FICTION: Elimination diets will cure your eczema.
FACT: Diets affect every body differently.
Plenty of eczema sufferers avoid certain foods in an attempt to relieve their symptoms. Maybe you’re one of them. But is it a cure-all? Nope. There simply isn’t enough quality research on elimination diets in adults with eczema.
Studies show these kinds of diets likely only help those with diagnosed food allergies. Like the people living with eczema who are also allergic to ingredients such as dairy, soy, peanuts, and wheat. When it comes down to it, excluding foods you aren’t thought to be allergic to won’t do much.
FICTION: Food has zero connections to eczema.
FACT: Foods can affect inflammation.
Don’t get us wrong. It can still be helpful to recognize how your diet might influence inflammation. Eczema takes inflammation—one of your body’s healthy defense mechanisms—and kicks it into overdrive. Science connects too much inflammation to itch. That’s where anti-inflammatory foods come in.
Eczema Eureka #829:
Put this—not that—on your plate
The right foods could, indeed, lower your levels of inflammation. Others can (you guessed it) trigger inflammation.
Avoid:
- Sugar and processed foods
- Fried foods and food rich in trans fats
Go for:
- Foods with omega-3 fats, like salmon or walnuts
- More whole fruits and vegetables, which are a good source of antioxidants
REMEMBER: Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet. If dietary changes provide temporary relief, they still shouldn’t take the place of your treatment plan.
FICTION: Eczema specialists don’t care about what you eat.
FACT: If a food does trigger your eczema, tell your doctor.
Food allergies and triggers are actually common concerns when it comes to managing eczema symptoms. If you believe a certain food triggers your flare-ups, keep track of it and bring it up at your next eczema appointment. Keep in mind that avoiding triggers alone isn’t enough to control your eczema.
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