Eczema is a common form of inflammatory skin condition known to some as atopic dermatitis. This problem can cause a range of issues, all the way from painful blisters to skin irritation. Eczema is particularly common in children under the age of two, but it can happen in people of any age. While there are countless things that can make eczema worse, from environmental triggers to hereditary factors, its worth noting that food and eczema typically go hand in hand. Common allergies associated with eczema include gluten, fish, nuts, eggs, cows milk, shellfish, and soy products. The most important question for most individuals who experience eczema is: “what foods trigger eczema?”
What Foods Trigger Eczema?
According to scientic research, it appears that eating large amounts of a certain kind of food is unlikely to cause eczema. However, there are substances that can increase your chances of having a flare-up if you’re already suffering from the condition. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to take extra steps to maintain a diet that’s eczema friendly.
When it comes to what foods trigger eczema, the first thing to note is that you should stay away from substances that cause allergic reactions like nuts, soy, dairy products, and eggs. Foods containing preservatives and artificial ingredients also have a tendency of making symptoms worse in people with eczema. After all, sugar can cause spikes in insulin levels which prompt inflammation.
Ideally, it might be a good idea to keep a food diary with eczema that highlights the foods that are most likely to cause flare-ups in your condition. Once you’ve got a good understanding of your unique triggers, you’ll be able to start avoiding those problematic foods.
Do You Need to Go Gluten Free?
A lot of the people who are wondering what foods trigger eczema find themselves wondering whether it would be helpful to stay away from foods that contain a lot of gluten. In many cases, celiac disease seems to go hand-in-hand with eczema, and this could be down to a genetic link that connects both disorders. The easiest way to treat celiac disease is to remove gluten from your diet entirely. If you have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease alongside your eczema, you may see a real improvement just by eliminating gluten.
However, it’s worth noting that this strategy will not work for everyone. Generally, removing gluten from your diet will only be a successful way to manage your condition with eczema if you already have a gluten sensitivity.
The Bottom Line on Eczema Triggers:
There are plenty of foods and external factors that can create symptoms related to eczema, including sugars and artificial preservatives. Most doctors will recommend eating a food that’s packed full of fresh vegetables and fruits, lean protein, and healthy fats, as this will help to limit your eczema flare-ups.
At the end of the day, however, since eczema can affect different people in different ways, it will be up to you to make sure that you keep an eye on your condition and figure out how to keep your symptoms down as much as possible.
