Is There an Eczema Diet? Here’s What Works

Eczema flares can pop up out of nowhere. If you’re wondering whether the foods and drinks you consume play a role in this chronic inflammatory skin condition, you’re not alone.

Family medicine specialist Saadia Hussain, MD, explains how your diet can affect eczema and what changes you can make to help reduce the severity of your symptoms.

How diet and eczema are connected

At its core, eczema causes your skin to break out in red, itchy patches because of inflammation. And foods that increase inflammation — or foods you’re allergic to — can sometimes trigger or worsen eczema flares.

“Some people have a specific intolerance or allergy to something in particular, like gluten, and that can cause eczema outbreaks,” says Dr. Hussain. “In other cases, it may be something your body doesn’t tolerate well, even without a true allergy.”

Key things to remember with eczema and diet

Foods that trigger eczema vary from person to person, so it helps to:

• Keep track of what you eat and drink. Take note of any flare-ups you have in the minutes or hours after eating, and bring that information to your doctor.
• Focus on whole foods. Processed foods and foods high in sugar are more likely to cause inflammation, so try to eat healthy by focusing on a well-balanced diet.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water helps support skin hydration and skin barrier function.
• Work with your healthcare provider. Before trying supplements or making significant changes to your diet, check in with a dietitian or primary care provider.

Dr. Hussain doesn’t recommend doing an elimination diet unless it’s prescribed by your healthcare provider. That’s because eliminating foods unnecessarily can lead to nutritional deficiencies and make it harder to identify true triggers.

“Generally, we don’t recommend elimination diets, especially in kids,” she notes.

Instead, Dr. Hussain stresses that, for most people, pairing a well-balanced diet with regular exercise is always one of the best solutions you can take to improving your overall health.

“If you try to do that, and make it a part of your lifestyle, it’s going to help you with every disease, including eczema, heart disease and diabetes,” she continues. “Our bodies weren’t built to be sedentary, and our bodies weren’t built to put all these processed foods into them.”

Foods to eat with eczema

It can be difficult to dig into which specific foods trigger or help eczema symptoms because everyone has different sensitivities. So, the same food that could help one person might hurt another if they’re allergic to it.

That said, Dr. Hussain says it’s generally safe to eat healthy by following a well-rounded nutritional plan that may include:

• Healthy fats, like omega-3s in fish, flaxseed oil and chia seeds
• Whole fruits and vegetables, like leafy greens, berries, apples and other plant-based foods
• Probiotics for gut health, like yogurt and kefir (unless you’re lactose intolerant)
• Whole grains, like brown rice or oatmeal
• Gluten-free grains, like corn and quinoa

Foods to limit with eczema

With eczema, you want to avoid foods that cause inflammation or worsen your symptoms. Try to limit or avoid:

• Foods you’re allergic to
• Trans fats in fried foods and processed snacks
• High-processed and high-sugar foods, like cereals, candy and soda
• Refined carbs, like white bread and pasta

“If you’re eating healthy, you’re trying to stick to something that doesn’t have preservatives, isn’t manufactured and isn’t packaged,” says Dr. Hussain. “When you go to the grocery store, stick to the outside edges. Head for fruits and vegetables, hit the dairy section, and then the meats and poultry before you’re out the door.”

Diet plans to try

As everyone’s triggers are different, there isn’t one specific eczema diet that works for everyone. Finding out what works for you can take some trial and error. But in general, some healthy diets are already set up to help reduce inflammation and keep you healthy and strong in many different ways.

Anti-inflammatory diet for eczema

“Anything with anti-inflammatory properties is good for most inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis,” says Dr. Hussain.

Anti-inflammatory diets limit:

• Red meat
• Flour
• Sugar

They mainly emphasize vegetables, lean proteins and fish, while providing several benefits related to clearer skin, weight management and more.

The Mediterranean diet is one of the most common anti-inflammatory diets, as it uses lots of veggies, whole grains, legumes, fish and olive oil.

“It’s more plant-based,” she shares. “It’s got a lot of fish and nuts, which is where you’re getting your protein from.”

Plant-based diets

Dr. Hussain says healthcare providers will sometimes recommend a plant-based diet to limit foods that contain nickel, cobalt or chromium if you have dyshidrotic eczema, as it can be triggered by those minerals.

Dyshidrotic eczema is a type of eczema that often affects the hands. It can be triggered by contact allergens, metals or irritants.

Gluten-free diet

“Gluten can sometimes make things worse, especially if you have an intolerance to it,” notes Dr. Hussain. “Sometimes, just doing a gluten-free diet, you might notice that your skin or your chronic GI condition gets better.”

Bottom line? While there isn’t a specific “eczema diet,” understanding your triggers, getting a little exercise, adopting a healthy eating style and coordinating with your healthcare provider can help you manage this chronic skin condition.