Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, is a condition that makes the skin red and itchy. It is most common in children but can affect adults as well. Its symptoms include dry skin, itching (particularly at night), red to brownish-grey patches on the skin, small, raised bumps that may crust over or leak fluid when scratched, thickened, cracked, scaly skin, and skin that is raw, sensitive, or swollen due to excessive scratching.
If you have eczema and want to avoid worsening your symptoms, it would be best to avoid the consumption of the following foods:

1. Tomatoes
Many people with eczema are allergic to tomatoes, and their reaction, which may include eczema flare ups, usually occurs soon after the consumption of the vegetable. Tomatoes are used as ingredients in many other foods as well, including pizza, pasta sauce, and ketchup, and, as such, these foods are probably also best avoided by people with eczema.

2. Gluten
Gluten is a huge part of the average diet, being found not only in bread and pasta but also in such unexpected places as soups, sauces, and gummy bears. If you or a loved one has a gluten sensitivity or allergy alongside the eczema, the consumption of food that contains gluten may exacerbate their symptoms. To avoid gluten, examine the ingredients lists of purchased food and look for labels that read “gluten-free”.

3. Dairy
Dairy products, such as cow’s milk, cheese, and yogurt, are one of the most common causes of eczema flare ups, particularly if you or your child is allergic to dairy. While many children eventually grow out of allergies to dairy until this happens it is probably best to generally avoid dairy products. However, should you choose to do this, keep in mind that almond milk may not be a workable substitute. Many people with eczema also have their symptoms worsened by the consumption of nuts.

4. Soy
Soy, like gluten, is a very difficult product to avoid for people who suffer from allergies, being found as it is in so many processed foods. If you or your child have eczema and suspect that the condition is being worsened by soy allergies, you will need to avoid a variety of foods, including frozen meals, meat substitutes, vegetable broths, and mayonnaise.

5. Certain spices
There are a number of spices that can worsen the symptoms of eczema, including, but not limited to, cinnamon, cloves, such as garlic, and vanilla. All of these spices can cause allergic reactions, which in turn can result in a flaring up of eczema. Since these spices can be used on a variety of foods, you will need to be very careful to ensure that the food you consume does not contain them. Checking the ingredient lists of packaged foods is a good way to be sure that these spices will not be consumed accidentally.

6. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes, contain high levels of Vitamin C, an important nutrient. However, they also contain Balsam of Peru (Myroxylon pereirae), an allergen. Since many people with eczema also have allergies, being exposed to citrus fruits can therefore cause an increase of symptoms in some people with eczema.

While these dietary tips are a good way to avoid worsening symptoms of eczema, another treatment for eczema is the Goldbond eczema treatment, which alleviates many of the symptoms of the condition.