Nutrition Guide to Treating Eczema

Your one-stop resource for everything you need for treating eczema (dermatitis) naturally, including diet tips, food recommendations and recipes for people with eczema.

This Nutrition and Diet Guide for People with Eczema aims to provide eczema sufferers with extensive information and tips on how to prevent eczema flare-ups and heal the symptoms at home through appropriate nutrition. The page you are currently viewing is the home page of the guide — all the latest diet/cooking tips and articles are published here, so be sure to bookmark this page! Other sections of this guide focus on providing information on the most important dietary factors and foods for those who want to embrace a natural approach to healing eczema symptoms. This guide also includes a collection of recipes designed for eczema sufferers. Use the menu on the right to navigate this guide.

Eczema (also known as dermatitis) is a group of skin conditions that cause dry, itchy inflammation of the skin. An estimated 15 million people in the United States have some form of eczema. It is more common in children under school age, and in many cases the disease clears or even disappears with age. However, some people will have some form of eczema throughout their lives.

Eczema flare-ups are associated with an abnormal response of the body's immune system. In people with eczema, the body's inflammatory response to irritating substances overacts, causing the itching and inflammation associated with the condition. However, what causes this abnormal reaction is not known. There is also no known cure for the disease. However, there are several treatments that can control the symptoms. Many people find relief by moisturizing their skin frequently, reducing stress, and avoiding harsh soaps and detergents. Also a number of nutritional factors (the topic of this online guide) may help control eczema breakouts.

Are you stuck in a routine, using the same old smoothie ingredients week after week? Did you know that you can easily upgrade your anti-eczema smoothies by adding some chia seeds to the mix? Chia seeds, which are available both as whole seeds and as ground powder, are an excellent dietary addition for people with eczema. These tiny powerhouse seeds are loaded with eczema-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, quercetin and zinc.

Did you know that stress can rob your body of zinc which is one of the most important nutrients for eczema sufferers? If you've been feeling stressed lately, make sure that you eat plenty of foods that provide zinc. Some of the best sources of dietary zinc for people with eczema include chia seeds and flaxseeds.

Here's a tip for all soup lovers whose eczema symptoms have been linked to dairy consumption: use pureed beans and lentils as a substitute for cream in soups. Beans and other legumes add a rich, creamy texture to soups and other savory dishes when cooked and pureed. Keep on hand kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, red lentils and puy lentils for a variety of colors and flavors.

Can Organic Dairy Reduce the Risk of Eczema in Babies?

A large cohort study suggests that organic dairy may reduce the risk of atopic eczema in infants.
See Article

Are All 'E Numbers' Bad?

People prone to eczema breakouts are often advised to eliminate 'E numbers' from their diets, but should all E numbers be avoided?
See Article

Health Benefits of a Wheat-Free Diet

Could your eczema flare-ups be linked to the consumption of wheat?
See Article

Mugwort Allergy and Cross Reactivity with Foods

Learn which foods cross react with mugwort pollen, a common cause of allergic rhinitis.
See Article

Food Sources of Psoralen

Learn which foods are rich in psoralen, a natural compound that is sometimes used in the treatment of severe eczema.
See Article

What Are Low Allergenicity Foods?

Benefits of low allergenicity foods (beyond protection against eczema breakouts).
See Article

Vegetables and fruits that are in season taste better, provide more vitamins and minerals, and are generally cheaper than foods that are not in season. The following charts show which hypoallergenic foods (or anti-eczema foods) are at their finest in the US, UK, Ireland and Australia at the moment. Hypoallergenic veggies and fruits are generally considered safe for people with eczema. Please be aware that the lists may be incomplete and partially inaccurate for some regions due to unpredictable changes in weather conditions and other factors.

In the UK and Ireland, June heralds in a number of hypoallergenic and eczema-fighting foods including cherries, redcurrants, gooseberries, turnips, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, chicory, elderflowers, beets, carrots, radishes, chard, kohlrabi, asparagus, broad beans, lettuce, watercress, spinach and courgettes. Also locally grown mushrooms, which are famous for their eczema fighting properties, are available in June.

Hypoallergenic/eczema-fighting foods in season in Australia at the moment include beets, bananas, pears, pumpkins, lettuce, swedes, thyme, carrots, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, fennel, and kohlrabi. Also apples, one of the best natural weapons against eczema, are in season in June.

Hypoallergenic and eczema-fighting foods in season in the Northeastern United States and Ontario right now include carrots, sprouts, beets, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, chard, thyme, squash, mushrooms, and potatoes.

Eczema-fighting foods and hypoallergenic foods currently in season in Michigan, Illinois and Iowa include beets, mushrooms, parsnips, carrots, chard, raspberries, broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce and potatoes.

June heralds in many hypoallergenic and eczema-healing foods in the southern/southwestern states of Texas, Arizona and California. In most of these states, the following foods are at their best right now: carrots, potatoes, beets, chard, cucumber, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, basil, and mushrooms.

Many locally-grown hypoallergenic foods are currently available in the sunshine state. These include carrots, Chinese cabbage, mushrooms, cabbage, onions, potatoes, squash, thyme, blueberries, zucchini, cucumbers, oregano, and basil.