What Foods are Good for Curing Eczema?

Eczema formally called atopic dermatitis (informally a topic dramatic) is a painful, dry, red and itchy skin condition. It’s particularly common among young children but many adults struggle with it as well. Eczema is a long-lasting problem and happens to be accompanied by asthma or hay fever.

There is no specific cure for atopic dermatitis. You can get yourself ointments, like betamethasone valerate cream or use some homemade methods, such as putting honey or coconut oil on itchy places but the best way to fight eczema is by affecting it from the inside of your body.

How did I get eczema?

Let’s take atopic dermatitis apart. The first part refers to allergy, “derma” refers to skin, and “itis” means inflammation. As whole eczema describes skin inflammation that comes from allergy. It happens when an immunological system, thanks to allergens, attacks the skin causing red and painful skin surfaces. Some of the allergens may come from the outside like flower dust or microbes. You can get it from irritants which are mostly detergents, soaps, shampoos. Some cases are caused by a high level of stress, and some of them come from food.

Diet for eczema

It is hard to make a 100% sure diagnosis about the origin of your eczema, so it’s better if you focus on how to prevent it with a special diet. What plays a key role in your proper nutrition is that you choose unprocessed foods. Processed foods are filled with preservatives, taste regulators, chemical additives, extra sugar, antibiotics and many more. The very basic step to fight eczema is the total elimination of processed food and eating only whole, fresh, good quality foods.

Foods that can cure eczema

Now let’s focus on details of proper nutrition for curing atopic dermatitis. Below you can find 4 types of foods that should be included in your diet.

High probiotic foods

There are specific strains of beneficial bacteria that significantly helps in building a strong immune system. This is why eating probiotic-rich foods that contain Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species can perform great results while fighting with eczema. You can find them in dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods, as well as kimchi or sauerkraut.

High prebiotic foods

Probiotics are selected cultures of bacteria or yeast (microorganisms). Most often ptarmigans are Lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacteria, and yeast. The importance of eating high prebiotic foods is that they accelerate the reconstruction of bacterial flora, which lowers the pH in the intestines, and thanks to that, the colonization of pathogenic bacteria is limited. You can find them in fruits and vegetables, mostly green onions, garlic, potatoes, artichoke, leeks, asparagus, also wholemeal bread, coarse cereals, and whole grains.

Fatty Fish

Long-chain fatty acids are essential for normal skin function. They help to reduce inflammation in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids and not naturally produced by our organism, that’s why you should include it in your diet. The deficiency of these fats can contribute to eczema development. You can find Omega-3 fats mostly in seafood. The best examples are salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, cod-liver oil, or anchovies. If you’re not a fan of fish, you can look for an alternative in soybeans or chia seeds.

Foods rich in Inflammation-Fighting Flavonoids

Flavonoids are natural plant compounds with antioxidant effects. They are very common in vegetables and fruits as well as herbs. They are found really helpful in rebalancing the immune system and lowering inflammation in your organism. The best sources of such flavonoids are apples, kale, spinach, broccoli, all kinds of berries, grapes, avocados, tea and dark chocolate, and red wine!

Eczema Foods you Should Avoid

As I mentioned before, the foods that you should exclude from your diet are any processed foods. Unfortunately, not all whole foods are 100% safe for our bodies. Producers pretty often sneak in some nasty chemicals in order to “improve” the taste and the look of the food. Pay attention to the composition of the product.

There is some kind of edibles that in spite of their healthiness, may actually cause eczema problems. The most common allergens are cow milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, chocolate, tree nuts, peanuts, and shellfish. If you are allergic to any of those ingredients, you should definitely get rid of them from your daily nutrition.

Other foods that may trigger atopic dermatitis are foods high in sugar. Sugar increases insulin level, which may cause inflammation. If you struggle with eczema, it’s time to say goodbye to sweets, soda drinks, and junk food.

The Bottom Line

Proper food can have a significant impact on atopic dermatitis issues. However, for every person, it works in a different way. Remember that it’s always a good idea to consult your diet changes with a doctor. An essential thing for you is to watch your symptoms and adjust the diet for your individual needs. Your body will thank you for it.