Eczema Diet

Eczema Diet | Inflammation | Anti-inflammatory Diet | Triggers | Probiotics

Eczema Diet

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes red, itchy patches of dry skin. These patches typically occur in the folds of the skin, particularly in the elbows, behind the knees and behind the neck. Eczema can present itself on your child’s face, scalp, and in some cases even on the eyelids.

Eczema tends to flare up, with periods of calm skin in between. There are many things that can trigger an eczema flare in your child. Some of these are:

  • Food
  • Environmental allergens
  • Pet dander
  • Dust mites
  • Household products

Is Eczema Inflammation?

Allergens can cause an allergic reaction in your child’s skin, leading to irritation, inflammation and an eczema flare up.

During an eczema flare, your child’s skin becomes red, inflamed, and itchy. Scratching the itchy patches of skin leads to the itch-scratch cycle, where scratching leads to inflammation and further itchiness. As a result, there is more scratching and the cycle continues.

Eczema Anti-inflammation Diet

Currently, there is no cure for eczema. However, there are several management strategies you can use to minimize your child’s eczema symptoms.

Since an eczema flare-up causes skin inflammation, an anti-inflammation diet can be one of these strategies. Anti-inflammatory foods help the body reduce free radicals and fight inflammation. In turn, this helps with chronic diseases, such as eczema.

Here are some anti-inflammatory vegetables that you can include in your child’s diet:

  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Swiss chard
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Peas
  • Squash
  • Beets

These fruits have anti-inflammatory properties:

  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Raspberries
  • Cherries
  • Peaches
  • Plums
  • Oranges
  • Apples
  • Grapes

Some beans and grains that reduce inflammation in the body are:

  • Chickpeas
  • Lentils
  • Oatmeal
  • Barley
  • Quinoa

Fish that have anti-inflammatory properties are:

  • Tuna
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Mackerel
  • Anchovies

These probiotic foods can also be a part of an anti-inflammatory diet:

  • Yogurt
  • Kefir
  • Pickles
  • Miso
  • Kombucha

Eczema Food Triggers

Even when you are following an anti-inflammation diet, it is important to monitor your child’s diet for eczema triggers and food allergies. Once you have identified a trigger, you can take steps to either avoid them or use substitutes where needed. Speak to your healthcare practitioner or an allergist to check for food allergies.

Probiotics For Eczema

It may be difficult to include some or any of the anti-inflammatory foods listed above in your child’s diet on a regular basis. In such cases, a probiotic supplement can help with your child’s diet and their eczema.

There are various strains of probiotics, and those in the foods mentioned above work to reduce inflammation. In addition to this, some strains have anti-oxidant properties which help reduce free radicals, while others promote diversity in the gut microbiome.

Recent research on a blend of three unique probiotic strains shows that probiotics can help with eczema. This patented blend features the following strains:

  • Bifidobacterium lactis CECT 8145,
  • Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, and
  • Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104

ProZema Probiotic Supplement features this patented blend of unique probiotic strains and is clinically proven to reduce the symptoms of atopic dermatitis and eczema in children aged between 4 and 17 years old. It has been shown to:

  • Eliminate the need for corticosteroids after 6 weeks of use
  • Clear up atopic dermatitis severity in 91% of clinical trial participants who received the probiotic
  • Improve SCORAD scores in 96% of participants
  • Display better microbiome status after 12 weeks

ProZema Probiotic Supplement is a powder that you can mix with your child’s foods and drinks. This probiotic supplement comes in individual sticks and you can snip one open when your child’s meals are ready. Learn more about ProZema Probiotic Supplement here.

References:

Healthline: How to Create an Eczema-Friendly Diet
National Eczema Association: Eczema Diet: Top Foods to Eat and Avoid
WebMD: Diet and Eczema: The Facts
Medical News Today: Eczema Elimination Diet and Foods to Eat
Cleveland Clinic: The Best Diets for Eczema