As you should know, anyone can develop eczema and there are many eczema food triggers to be aware of. Even if you take perfect care of yourself and shower daily, there is still a risk that you’re going to develop eczema. This problem generally starts at a very young age. Then, it may disappear for a short period before returning in the future. Sometimes, it may not disappear at all. Either way, eating the wrong foods can cause serious problems for us eczema sufferers.
So, what are some of the most coming food triggers for people with eczema? Unfortunately, there are many of them. Some of the most notable include dairy products, gluten, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, and nightshade vegetables. It’s essential to avoid these foods or your problem is going to get worse and spiral out of control.
The first step is to identify the foods that are going to cause your eczema to worsen in the first place. Within this guide, you’re going to learn more about these foods and the reasons you need to avoid them.
#1 Dairy Products
Unfortunately, there are many foods that can cause your eczema to flare-up and worsen. You’ll want to avoid these foods. If you’re a fan of dairy products, there is some bad news for you. These foods can be very beneficial for your overall health, but they can cause problems for your eczema. Therefore, you must avoid them. Commercial dairy products contain certain ingredients that will cause your problem to worsen. After all, you must remember that these products are acquired from gracing animals.
However, there might be a good alternative out there. You should try experimenting a little with sheep or goat’s milk. You might be able to tolerate these without problems. You can also try drinking raw milk. It’s considered easier to digest and that may make it a better option for you. Either way, you should be cautious about consuming commercial dairy products because they could make your eczema symptoms worse.
#2 Gluten
Another thing to note is that recent research has concluded that eczema may be associated with gluten sensitivity. What does this mean for you? Well, you’ll have to be very careful about eating foods that contain gluten. This means that you’ll want to stay away from gluten-based grains, Kamut, Farro, rye, barley, and wheat. There are several other foods that contain gluten in smaller amounts. These foods include lentils, oats, and spices.
While gluten will not be a problem for all eczema sufferers, it can create issues for some. Therefore, it is best to avoid gluten. The good news is that there are many alternatives out there. You should invest in gluten-free alternatives. They’re just as delicious, so you won’t be missing out on anything at all.
#3 Soy
Soy is a major problem for people who have eczema. It can indeed cause the problem to worsen very quickly. At the same time, you should know that soy contains high levels of isoflavones. This is a type of plant estrogen and it is going to greatly increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Most food sources will not contain enough isoflavones on their own to increase your risk but consuming too much soy will. With that being said, everyone should consider moderating their intake of soy. This is vital for people who have eczema since soy is one of the worst triggers.
Tofu, soymilk, natto, and miso are some of the worst eczema food triggers, so you’ll want to avoid them all. You also must stay clear of processed foods. Many of them contain hidden soy. You’ll need to be careful about consuming vegetable oil, Vitamin E, and vegetable protein. Limiting your intake of processed foods is highly recommended. You should also avoid eating eggs from chickens that have been fed a soy diet.
#4 Eggs
When you wake up in the morning, you’re going to be compelled to eat a few eggs. They’re delicious and make the perfect breakfast. However, you should know that eggs can be problematic for people who have eczema. Eczema suffers tend to have other allergy problems too. For instance, some of these individuals will have an allergy to eggs too and maybe not even know. This is something you must be very cautious about. If you have an allergy to eggs, eating them is going to cause your body’s histamine levels to climb higher.
In return, this can make your eczema worse. If you’re not cautious, your eczema will develop blisters and they’ll begin to bleed and ooze. However, you might be able to handle certain eggs. For instance, you should try experimenting with duck, quail, or goose eggs. You might be able to tolerate these eggs without issues.
#5 Acidic Foods
It’s generally a good idea to avoid acidic foods. What does acidic mean? Well, acidic means that the foods have a low pH. They can create problems inside your body. Eating acidic foods can result in reflux and even ulcers. If you eat too many acidic foods, you’ll get heartburn and you’ll experience other issues. They’re also very bad for people who have eczema. It is often said that too much acidic food can cause other skin problems like acne as well.
You don’t have to be sensitive to acidic foods to suffer from them. If you already have eczema rashes, there is a risk that eating acidic foods is going to make the problem much worse. With that being said, it is best to avoid these foods completely. Some of the most notable acidic foods include tomatoes, citrus, and pineapple. Avoid these foods and you’ll be able to keep your eczema symptoms at ease.
#6 Nightshade Vegetables
There is no doubt that vegetables can be very beneficial for your health, so seeing them on the eczema food triggers list may shock most of you. However, it should be noted that they’re not suitable for everyone. At the same time, you should know that some vegetables are healthier than others. This is something you’ll need to consider. And, this is even more important since you have eczema. When it comes down to it, you’ll have to be cautious about consuming nightshade vegetables. These foods are going to cause your eczema symptoms to intensify and you do not want that to happen.
So, what are some of the most commonly consumed nightshade vegetables? This family includes eggplant, tomatoes, tobacco, potatoes, and peppers. You’ll also need to avoid foods like pasta sauce and ketchup. The problem with these vegetables is the fact that they possess low-level toxins that can lead to inflammation for certain people.
Individuals who have auto-immune disorders are more likely to be impacted. If you want to be cautious, it is best to avoid these foods. At the very least, you should eat them in moderation.
#7 Foods High In Sugar
Who doesn’t love sugar? It makes almost every meal much better. Everyone likes to treat themselves to a delicious treat from time to time. The only problem here is that many treats contain too much sugar. That sugar can come back to haunt you in the future. However, you should know that the impact will depend on you. Everyone is different. Some people will be able to eat foods with lots of sugar without any problems. You might not be able to do so.
If you have eczema, there is a risk that consuming lots of refined sugar is going to cause your eczema symptoms to worsen. If you love sugar and you aren’t willing to give it up, you should experiment with it. Eat a cake or some candy that contains large amounts of sugar and see how your body reacts. If you handle things just fine, you can continue eating sugar in moderation. Otherwise, you’ll want to remove it from your diet altogether.
#8 Chocolate
While chocolate is delicious, it can be problematic too. Research has shown that chocolate may cause some people to develop an eczema outbreak. This is something you must worry about when you reach for those M&Ms or other chocolate goodies. It can create a problem because it will cause certain toxins in the body to rise to the skin’s surface. Then, this will make the skin irritated. On top of that, some people are allergic to chocolate.
If you’re going to be eating chocolate, you should do so in moderation. Otherwise, you’re going to get yourself into trouble. People with eczema should not eat too much or they may regret it.
#9 Peanuts
Peanuts are associated with the most dangerous food allergies in the world. People with peanut allergies will not be aware of their condition until they experience an allergic reaction. The symptoms associated with a peanut allergy include skin irritation, such as eczema, runny nose, swelling and redness around the throat and mouth, shortness of breath, wheezing, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
People who are allergic to peanuts must take special precautions to avoid them in the future. While this sounds like an easy task, it’s far from it. All companies utilize manufacturing facilities to produce their foods. Unfortunately, many of these facilities are utilized for a broad range of foods. In these cases, the manufacturer is required to put a warning on their food packages. So, be sure to look for these warnings when shopping for special types of food.
#10 Red Food Coloring
Many people are allergic to red food coloring or food coloring #2. Red food coloring derives from cochineal or carmine extract. Red dye allergies are common in both children and adults. In these cases, the individual has difficulty digesting the red dye. Unfortunately, red dye can be found in a broad range of foods, medications, and beverages. And, this is not to mention how more manufacturers are beginning to utilize preservatives to make cosmetics, drugs, food, and beverages. So, avoiding red dye is becoming more and more difficult.
Red food dye allergies are extremely difficult to diagnose especially in children. The most common symptoms associated with red food coloring allergies are eczema-like. Itchy, inflamed skin with oozing bumps are associated with both eczema and red food coloring allergies.
Other symptoms of red food dye allergies include gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, and bloating), wheezing, shortness of breath, itchy eyes, and sneezing. In more severe cases, the patient will experience a drop-in blood pressure, dizziness, hypersensitivity, fainting, and blocked airways.
Summary
When it comes down to it, there are many eczema food triggers that you need to know about. If you’re able to avoid these foods and use the right treatments, you’ll be able to put an end to the symptoms completely. While you will never be able to completely cure eczema, you can stop the symptoms for the long run. If you’re able to do that, your skin will clear up and nobody will ever be able to tell that you have eczema.
You should begin avoiding the aforementioned foods and you should start treating your condition to the best of your ability.
Related Questions
Is Coffee Bad For Eczema?
When it comes down to it, many people love drinking coffee in the morning. It’s scrumptious and it wakes them up in a matter of seconds. The only downside here is that certain foods and drinks can cause eczema to worsen and coffee is one of those drinks. The problem here is the fact that coffee contains a lot of salicylates. This specific chemical is considered a natural pesticide. If you didn’t have eczema, it wouldn’t be a problem at all. However, it can be a problem for people who have eczema. After all, it’s a trigger.
Just remember that coffee isn’t the only drink that contains high levels of salicylates. You should know that tea does too. Black tea contains a lot of nickel and that can be even worse. With that being said, people who have eczema should avoid tea and coffee. You’ll need to find another way to get your morning boost.
Is Eczema A Sign Of Allergies?
Many people believe that eczema and allergies are interconnected. This is true to some degree but not absolutely. One thing to note is that many types of eczema are not considered allergy problems. However, you should realize that your eczema can worsen when you’re exposed to certain environmental factors. If you have an allergic reaction to something, there is a good chance that it is going to make your eczema worse. If you have eczema, it’s likely that your body will overreact to allergens. Be cautious and try to avoid environmental factors that cause your condition to spiral out of control.