MY BEST TIPS FOR ECZEMA #DIET

Hello everyone, I thought I would discuss something a little bit different that I am sure many readers are familiar with - the dreaded (and very common) skin problem of atopic eczema!

Which if you do have problems with it you will know that it can range from mild to severe. I have had many experiences with this highly annoying skin problem, I understand how it can get you down and I have felt like a scaley reptile, this is why I feel it is important to share ways to look after yourself. In my experience I have found that are a number of factors that can affect it, rather than a single cause but there are many things that can trigger it's worsening condition. The series of posts will discuss things that I have personally found useful so feel free to pick and choose what advice to take on board! Obviously if the skin condition runs in your own family it is hard to completely avoid it, but there are ways to help it become more manageable which I will suggest over the course of a few posts, as well as link some lovely products that have worked for me!

This is a picture of some particularly nasty eczema that I had on my hands about two years ago. I am pleased to say that it cleared up, and that my hands are looking a lot better now. Hence why I would like to share some tips with you all!

The first thing I will discuss in this series is diet which can play an important role in triggering the condition. I know, it sucks that you can't just eat whatever you want without consequences. 

For example, the amount of dairy I eat seems to play a huge role in how dried out my skin feels. Try to limit eating an excess amount of dairy foods; no overeating cheese, yoghurts & drinking too much milk.

Instead try natural bio-yoghurt to refresh good gut bacteria, and reducing cheese in your meals to once a day, as well as eating a smaller quantity overall. If you are still struggling it might be a good suggestion to try soya milk, or almond milk for cereal in the morning, or drinking cups of coffee/tea black. To keep the skin healthy try to increase intake of Vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers) & E (green vegetables, fish, nuts), also consider introducing oily fish such as salmon or mackerel to your diet a couple of times a week. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids like water. I personally choose to take multivitamin tablets too.

There are many tasty recipes that can be found on the internet on places like BBC Good Food, All Recipes and (most fun to read) food blogs that can involve more of these foods which help to keep your skin replenished and boost moisture. The skin is the largest organ in your body, so really it is no surprise that what you put into it will show outwardly. 

If you have tried changing up your diet, and haven't found any results I highly recommend visiting your GP and discuss steroid creams as diet can lessen the symptoms and help to prevent breakouts but it won't cure existing eczema.