Eczema is a condition that causes inflammation of the skin, and it is also known as atopic dermatitis. It could cause irritation, oozing blisters, and sometimes itchy rashes on the skin, and it could also cause leathery skin patches over time. Environmental and hereditary triggers play a major role in a person developing this condition. Infants are most likely to develop this disease, and most people who are diagnosed with the disease tend to suffer from food allergies too. When affected by eczema, there are some food habits that a person should follow:

Food habits
It should be understood that eating certain types of food does not cause eczema, but it may trigger this disease. Understandably, one should be careful with some food items:

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

Foods to eat
There are certain foods that one should start eating to suppress this disease:

• Fatty fish : One can reduce the symptoms of eczema by eating fatty fish like salmon and herring. Fish oil contains a high level of omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory. One must also consider taking omega-3 supplements.
• Foods containing quercetin : It is a plant-based flavonoid that one can get in many flowers, fruits, and vegetables. It is a powerful oxidant and antihistamine that will definitely reduce the histamine in the body. Some of the foods that have high quercetin are apples, blueberries, broccoli, spinach, and kale.
• Foods having probiotics : Foods like yogurt contain live cultures that help support the immune system. This could suppress allergic and flare-up reactions. Some of the probiotic-rich foods include miso soup, sourdough bread, naturally fermented pickles, soft cheese (Gouda), unpasteurized sauerkraut, kefir, and tempeh.
• Anti-inflammatory diet : This plan focuses on eating foods that are rich in fibre. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats (olive oil), and also fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. One can also include red wine and avoid sugary foods as much as possible.

Foods to avoid
Apart from knowing what food to have, it is important to find out about foods that should be avoided. Some such foods are dairy products, eggs, soy, and nuts, which often trigger eczema.

Foods that contain added preservatives and artificial ingredients may also accelerate the symptoms of eczema. These include trans fats like margarine, processed food, and also fast food. One should also avoid food items containing high sugar as these may exaggerate the flare-ups. Sugar increases the insulin levels in the body, which may lead to inflammation:

• Cakes
• Some coffee drinks
• Some sodas
• Some smoothies
• Fast food items like burgers and fries

The best foods for a person suffering from eczema will depend largely on the allergies that they might have. Sometimes, food that one considers eczema friendly could end up triggering it if one is allergic to it. So, it is always better to consult a dermatologist and get diagnosed well before undertaking treatment or following a diet plan.