More than 30 million Americans have some form of eczema. Eczema is a group of conditions that fall under the general term “atopic dermatitis”. This condition causes the skin to become itchy, red and inflamed. There is no cure for eczema, but there are over the counter and prescription treatments for the condition that can help in minimizing symptoms. There are also a number of foods that you should avoid to help lessen the effects of the condition.

Eczema is often triggered or enhanced by the following foods:

1. Citrus fruits
Chemicals found in citrus fruits including oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruit often trigger an allergic reaction and should be avoided.

2. Dairy
Milk and dairy products contain saturated fats and hormones which may raise inflammation in individuals who have eczema.

3. Gluten or wheat
Although the exact cause is unknown, research has determined that there is a link between gluten and eczema. It is important to read labels to identify products that contain gluten.

4. Soy
Soy is a common allergen. The Journal of Dermatology reported that avoiding soy for three months significantly reduces eczema symptoms.

5. Spices
Certain spices including cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves are known to trigger outbreaks.

6. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain salicylate which is a natural chemical that is often said to make the itching and redness of eczema worse. Salicylate are found in other foods including grapes, kiwis, avocados, broccoli, dried fruits and deli meats so unfortunately you may want to add those to your list of foods to avoid too.

7. Some nuts
Certain nuts, especially peanuts, are a culprit of eczema. Not every person will react the same to certain foods. You may want to consider eliminating certain foods over a course of months and see how your eczema reacts. In fact, patients often suffer from different forms of eczema, including:

• Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. This type of eczema can range from mild to severe and more commonly develops in childhood.
• Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin is exposed to certain substance or experiences an allergic reaction.
• Dyshidrotic eczema typically will appear as small blisters on the hands and feet in people under the age of 40.
•  Nummular eczema, also called discoid eczema, can occur at any age. The eczema will appear as coin-shaped rashes or sores on the skin. It often occurs after an injury.

Common symptoms of eczema are dry, itchy skin. A person may also experience patches that are red to brown-grey on their hands, feet, ankles, neck, chest, elbows, and knees. Some patches may go away and reappear as symptoms progress. You may also experience sensitivity or swelling in the skin from scratching.