Eczema : 7 Tips to Manage it With Food

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Can the nutritional components found in food be your magic bullet for controlling eczema flare-ups? Fortunately, yes. Nutrients found in food can help manage nearly all degenerative diseases, including eczema. In addition, making a conscious effort to change your diet may also help alleviate eczema symptoms.

Although most individuals take their skin health for granted, people suffering from eczema would probably do anything to keep their flare-ups at bay. Here are some ways on how you can eat your way to a symptom-free life:

1. An Elimination Diet Helps Stave Off Food Sensitivities

If your eczema is associated with food allergy or sensitivity, then you should follow an elimination diet to identify “culprit foods” that may be triggering your eczema flare-up. The most common foods that can cause allergic reactions are eggs, dairy, soy, peanuts, fish, corn and gluten products like wheat. Often sugar and food dyes and preservatives can cause a flare-up too.

When you’re on an elimination diet, you must avoid all the possible trigger foods for a period of time, usually three to four weeks, and then gradually re-introduce each food group one at a time. This enables you to monitor your symptoms.

2. Alkalizing the Body Brings Eczema Relief

Balance, pH balance in particular, is key for dealing with eczema, as its symptoms often occur when the body’s pH balance is out of sorts. This means that a body too high in acid or too high in alkaline foods can cause eczema to flare.

Eczema sufferers are advised to aim for 80:20 balance, where 80 percent of your food is alkalizing, and 20 percent acidifying. Essentially, this means eating mainly v egetables and less meat, but make sure to choose organic sources since most produce are tainted with pesticides.

3. Probiotics Give Your Immune System a Boost

Probiotics or “good bacteria”can help soothe inflammation and stimulate the body to produce antibodies and certain white blood cells that are vital for preventing the body from overreacting to allergens.

Some studies suggest that babies whose mothers took probiotics during pregnancy and while breastfeeding were less likely to have eczema at up to 2 years of age. One study found that children who were given probiotics during their first 2 years of life were less likely to develop eczema than those who did not take probiotics.

4. Fend Off Eczema Symptoms With Krill Oil

Dry flaky skin and eczema are often signs of a deficiency in omega-3-fats Fortunately, the omega-3 found in fish oil or krill oil is beneficial for eczema patients in two ways:

1.It can reduce dryness, redness, flaking and irritation associated with eczema.

2.It may have an anti-inflammatory effect that can help calm irritated skin, giving you a clearer complexion.

5. Opt for Hypoallergenic Foods

Hypoallergenic or low allergenicity foods are less likely to trigger allergic reactions. Hypoallergenic fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, apples, pears, squash, cucumbers, kale, Brussels sprouts, celery, lettuce, zucchini, beets, bananas, blueberries, apricots and turnips, are generally considered safe for people with eczema.

6. Green tea, black tea and Oolong Tea as an Eczema Remedy

A staple in Chinese pantries, tea is made from the buds, leaves and stems of the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between the three kinds of tea is that green tea is unfermented, black tea is fully fermented and oolong tea is partially fermented.

Tea is rich in powerful antioxidants called polyphenols and flavonoids, which may account for its efficacy. Today, evidence continues to mount on oolong tea’s ability to ease eczema flare-ups. In a month-long study in Japan, people with eczema who drank 3 cups of oolong tea felt relief from their itching in just one week. Aside from eczema, oolong has also shown potential for helping treat diabetes and high cholesterol.

7. Try also These Home Remedies for Eczema

Natural eczema remedies can be as effective as medications when it comes to relieving symptoms. Here are some options you can try:

• Coconut oil. This is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Apply the oil directly on the affected skin a few times daily for instant relief. Consuming 2 to 4 tablespoons of coconut oil every day may also help alleviate symptoms and strengthen your immune system.

• Aloe vera. It offers antibacterial, regenerative and antioxidant properties that make it a popular ingredient in skin care products.

Aloe vera ointments were actually approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for accelerating the healing of burns back in 1959. To treat eczema symptoms, extract the gel from a fresh aloe leaf and apply directly to your skin.

• Turmeric. This herb contains curcumin, which has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce itching and inflammation. To use, simply mix half a teaspoon of turmeric with just enough milk, tea or yogurt to make a paste, then apply twice daily until your symptoms are gone.

• Indian lilac. Known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it can help relieve eczema symptoms such as pain, swelling and inflammation. It is also a good source of essential fatty oils and vitamin E, which help moisturize your skin.

• Increase your omega-3 intake. Dry skin is a common sign of omega-3-deficiency and can trigger eczema symptoms. Hence, if your skin is dry, you should try eating more omega-3 rich foods. Your best options are wild-caught Alaskan salmon and sardines as other types of fish are likely tainted with pollutants and industrial toxins. If you have limited access to safe fish sources, you can take a fish oil or krill oil supplement to get your daily dose of omega-3s.

• Black tea . Make a cup of black tea and let it steep for at least 15 min to release the tannins. These antiinflammatory agents, used externally, help relieve itch and redness. Soak a cheesecloth or thin kitchen towel with the tea and apply to the affected areas.

For help for you and/or your loved one/s individual case, please contact me !

 

About the author

Dr. Christine Sauer

Dr. Christine Sauer, MD, ND is a German-trained, retired conventional as well as naturopathic physician, a Certified Brain, and Mental Health Coach and a Nutrition, Supplementation, Weight Loss and Emotional Eating Expert. Through her own journey from the successful owner of a large medical practice in Germany through the abyss of mental and physical illness to complete recovery, she discovered her unique process, combining education, life and health coaching, to help her clients to "Recover Your Sparkle", to achieve lasting peace, joy, and 5-dimensional health. Her mission is to be a beacon for love, joy, and peace in this scary world. Her hobbies are science, learning new things, cooking, gardening, and her husband and dog.
She is also an international #1 bestselling author, TEDx speaker, mentor and trainer for other coaches and a loving human being!

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