Healthy Eczema Diet as an Effective Eczema Treatment

The correct eczema diet is a vital part of any eczema treatment. Certain common foods such as peanuts, eggs, milk, soy and wheat may provoke a flare-up of eczema. But it could be any food and so it's important to identify any culprits and to avoid them.

Whether diet plays any role in causing eczema and as a treatment for eczema is still being debated. One recent theory says that food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies, poor digestion and an imbalance in the micro-flora of the intestines are all underlying causes of eczema. It's indisputable that many sufferers report having benefited from adopting a more healthy diet.

What are the best foods to include in a healthy diet? Since poor digestive function has been put forward as a possible cause for eczema, it's good to include foods which support the digestive system and also foods which are generally recognised as promoting health.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are required to sustain energy and unrefined carbohydrates such as wholemeal bread, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, bran flakes and porridge oats are also good sources of fiber which aids the intestines in healthy elimination.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables) are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which are all vital for healthy skin and also support a health immune system. You should include them as a large part of a healthy diet. Ideally, you should choose organic produce in order to avoid potentially harmful pesticides and herbicides which could themselves be a trigger for eczema.

Protein

Include good sources of protein in your diet such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, soy products, beans and seeds. Protein is required to repair and maintain tissues and also to strengthen your immune system.

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) have been found to improve eczema and other skin complaints. There are two types: Omega 3 and omega 6. They can't be created within the body and so must be taken in as part of the diet. The presence of EFAs in the body allows prostaglandins to be created which are hormone-like substances and which regulate inflammation and maintain healthy digestion and skin.

Oily fish such as tuna, mackerel, salmon and herring are great sources of EFAs. Other good sources are sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts.

Friendly Gut Bacteria

The health of the digestive system depends on the right balance of bacteria in the gut. For this reason it's good to either include foods which contain a supply of friendly bacteria (such as live yogurt, miso, tempeh and sauerkraut) or to take a probiotic (a nutritional supplement  which contains friendly bacteria in concentrated form and is available as capsules from health food shops).

The right balance of bacteria in the gut can improve digestion, reduce allergic reactions and benefit conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation and yeast infections. Several studies have shown probiotics to be an effective treatment for atopic dermatitis or eczema.

The level of friendly bacteria in the gut can be lowered by the taking antibiotics, by exposure to pollution, by stress and by poor diet.

Foods That Trigger Eczema

Regardless of the foods recommended for a healthy eczema diet, certain foods may trigger flare-ups of eczema. These foods vary from individual to individual. It's important to identify them and to avoid them. Some foods which are common triggers are wheat, eggs and dairy products.

I would advise you eczema to include a healthy eczema diet as an integral part of your treatment plan. It's certain to improve your general health and may help to manage your eczema symptoms.