Fighting eczema - which foods to eat and which to avoid

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes a person to develop patches of dry, itchy skin on their body. It often develops as a result of inflammation in the body, so consuming foods that do not cause allergies may help reduce symptoms. Although there is no one definitive cure, various over-the-counter creams and medications are available that soothe and help reduce inflammation.

Sometimes a doctor may also recommend avoiding foods known to worsen eczema. Examples of such foods include nuts, milk, and wheat.
For people suffering from eczema, eating certain foods can trigger the body to release immune system compounds that cause inflammation, which contributes to the onset of this condition. Therefore, it is good to follow a dietary regimen that can help us in the fight against eczema.

Examples of anti-inflammatory foods:

• Fish - a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can fight inflammation in the body. Such fish are: salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring.
• Foods high in probiotics - good bacteria that promote gut health. These include: yogurt with live and active cultures, miso soup, and tempeh. Fermented foods and drinks, such as kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut, also contain probiotics.
• Foods high in anti-inflammatory flavonoids. Examples of these are: fruits and vegetables, such as apples, broccoli, cherries, spinach, and kale.

Consuming more of these foods and reducing allergenic foods can help reduce the risk of eczema flare-ups.

DIET AND FOODS YOU SHOULD AVOID

Food-triggered eczema reactions usually appear about 6 to 24 hours after consumption. Sometimes these reactions can be delayed longer.
To determine which foods may trigger the reaction, a doctor may recommend an elimination diet. This diet involves avoiding some of the most common products known to cause eczema.

Before permanently removing any food from our menu, however, we must test it. This is done by slowly adding each type of product back into our diet and observing our skin for 4 to 6 weeks to determine if we are sensitive to any specific food. If we have a reaction, it is recommended to exclude those ingredients from our diet in the future.

Foods to watch out for:

• citrus fruits
• dairy products
• eggs
• gluten or wheat
• soy
• spices such as vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon
• tomatoes
• certain nuts

A doctor may also recommend an allergy test. Even if a person is not allergic to a certain food, they may have a sensitivity to it and show symptoms of skin problems after repeated intake. Doctors call this condition "eczema from food reaction."

People with dyshidrotic eczema, which usually affects the hands and feet, can alleviate their condition by consuming foods that do not contain nickel. Traces of nickel are found in the soil and can therefore be absorbed by various food crops.

Such are:

• beans
• black tea
• chocolate
• lentils
• nuts
• peas
• seeds
• shellfish
• soy

Some people exhibit eczema due to sensitivity to pollen or birch pollen. This means they may have reactions to:

• green apples
• carrots
• celery
• hazelnuts
• pears

Research shows that taking probiotic supplements can reduce the symptoms of eczema. Probiotics are also available as supplements, with data from different parts of the world proving the differences in the composition of beneficial gut microflora, corresponding to food and geographical region. Therefore, a multi-bacterial formula will be more effective if it contains those bacteria native to the place where we live.

That is why we recommend the Bulgarian synbiotic - Lactoflor BioPlus capsules. You can read more about the product here

Probiotics are naturally present in many foods, such as:

• yogurt
• sauerkraut
• kimchi
• miso
• tempeh
• kombucha

THE OUTLOOK
Although a person's diet is not always the cause of eczema, some people may find that their symptoms improve when they make changes to their diet.
If a person eliminates a large group of foods, such as wheat-containing products, it is good to ask the attending physician for replacement supplements to ensure that we are not missing any essential vitamins and minerals.

And what is your secret for dealing with skin problems?

Share it with us in a comment below.
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Source: MedicalNewsToday.com