Atopic Dermatitis: What Foods You Should Eat and What Foods You Should Avoid

Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known simply as eczema, is a pretty serious dry skin condition. It has been known to cause oozing blisters, skin irritation, and itchy rashes. It can also cause patches of the skin to turn leathery over time.

Eczema most commonly occurs in children that are younger than two years old, but it has also been known to affect older children and adult. The skin condition can be caused by a variety of factors, but one of the more common is food allergies. Some of the more common food allergies that affect eczema include:

• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Gluten
• Fish
• Nuts
• Soy products
• Shellfish

What you eat does not necessarily cause eczema, but it can cause already existing atopic dermatitis to flare up. Not only can the food you eat cause your eczema to flare up, it can also help to regulate it.

Foods to Eat to Help Treat Eczema

• Anti-inflammatory Foods
  Inflammation is one of the more prevalent symptoms of eczema. Anti-inflammatory foods can reduce eczema symptoms. The best natural anti-inflammatories are foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish, chia seeds, almonds, etc.
• Foods Containing Quercetin
  Quercetin is a plant-based flavonoid that is responsible for giving flowers, veggies, and fruits their rich color. As a flavonoid, quercetin has powerful antioxidant and antihistamine properties. These two compounds work in tandem to reduce inflammation and rashes that are caused by eczema. Some foods high in quercetin are:
  • Apples
  • Broccoli
  • Blueberries
  • Spinach
  • Cherries
  • Kale
• Foods Containing Probiotics
  Probiotic foods like yogurt possess live cultures that boost a person’s immune system, which reduces the flare-ups and allergic reactions caused by eczema.

Some of the best probiotic laden foods are:

• Sourdough bread
• Kefir
• Miso soup
• Soft cheeses
• Tempeh
• Naturally fermented pickles