Eczema is also known as dermatitis that causes inflammation of the skin which is characterized by dry and irritated skin which sometimes also becomes scaly, wet or blistered. The exact cause of eczema is not clear and the reason behind it may be many like allergic reactions, stress and fatigue. Temperature sometimes also plays a role in causation of this disease. Out of all these, diet is also one of the main causative factors in etiology of eczema. Various food items can trigger the eczema or aggravate the pre-existing condition, however the food that triggers the condition can vary in various people. So, it is very important to know about the diet in this disease because it helps to resolve it fastly.
DIET CHART FOR ECZEMA PATIENTS
EARLY-MORNING
Amla juice / Aloe Vera Juice
(It helps in Relieving aggravated pitta)
(You can have this juice regularly, empty stomach after passing stool and brushing teeth)
BREAKFAST
Sprouts / Vegetable soup / Oats / Boiled vegetable salad / Wheat Porridge (Dalia) / Semolina (Upma) / Chapati + Dal + Veg
(Light food articles in breakfast are very beneficial for digestive agni ignition)
MID-MORNING
Coconut water / Fruit / Herbal tea
(They provide a cooling effect on the body)
LUNCH
Chapati + Parboiled rice + Vegetables + Dal / Pulao
(A light lunch is also very important to maintain adequate nutrition levels in the body)
EVENING
Vegetable soup / Poha (Rice Flakes) / Toast /Herbal tea
(Having these food articles are very beneficial to avoid long hours of empty stomach)
DINNER
Vegetable curry + Chapati + Dal / Veg dalia / Khichdi
(A nutritious yet light dinner helps in proper digestion of food articles and also avoid indigestion associated with constipation)
DIET INSTRUCTIONS
CEREALS
Cereals to be consumed
Wheat, Quinoa, Buckwheat millets, Rice, Oats, Sorghum, Corn, Finger millet, Foxtail millet, Little millet, Barley
(They are light to digest and in addition do not cause accumulation of endotoxins)
Cereals to be avoided
Refined flour and Rye
(They are responsible for accumulation of endotoxins)
FRUITS
Fruits to be consumed
Apple, Banana, Cheery, Watermelon, Muskmelon, Avocado, Peaches, Pear, Pomegranate, Sapodilla, Papaya, Apricot, Blueberries
(These fruits are very beneficial and provide the body with adequate nutrition)
Fruits to be avoided
All citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, sweet lemon, etc; Strawberry, Mango, Kiwi
(These fruits cause pitta aggravation and thus cause a flare up of symptoms)
VEGETABLES
Vegetables to be consumed
Ridge gourd, Pumpkin, Spinach, Potato, Drumstick, Carrot, Broccoli, Onion, Ginger, Beetroot, Snake gourd, Bitter gourd, Mushroom, Bottle gourd, Kale, Brussels sprouts, Celery, Lettuce, Zucchini, Turnips, Cucumber, Ash gourd, pumpkin
(The vegetables are a very good source of vitamins and minerals. They provide the body with adequate nourishment)
Vegetables to be avoided
Tomatoes, Eggplant or Brinjal, Radish, Garlic
(They are the reason for pitta aggravation)
PULSES
Pulses to be consumed
Yellow moong lentil, Green gram, pink lentils, Split pigeon peas, Split chickpeas
(If consumed in limited quantities, they are potent in adding fuel to the digestive fire and hence improve digestion. Balance tridosha, controls vitiated vata and provides nourishment to the body and its tissues)
Pulses to be limited
Black grams (Occasionally), black lentils, kidney beans
(They are responsible for pitta imbalance by diminishing the agni)
DAIRY PRODUCTS OR FATS
Dairy Products or Fats to be consumed
All are to be avoided or limited except cow’s ghee
(The dairy products are heavy to digest, aggravate kapha and imbalance kapha leads to pitta aggravation)
Dairy Products or Fats to be avoided
Condensed milk, Cheeze, cream, yogurt, Cottage cheese, Butter, Condensed milk, Curd
OILS
Oils to be consumed
Cow’s Ghee, Olive oil, Mustard oil, Rice bran oil
(They help in igniting the digestive fire)
Oils to be avoided
Canola oil, Palm oil, Coconut oil, sesame oil
(They cause diminishing of digestive agni)
SPICES
Spices to be consumed
Turmeric, Cumin, Coriander leaves, Ginger, Fennel, 2-3 black pepper, fenugreek dried leaves, coriander seeds
(Spices act as a fuel to the digestive agni, enhances it and maintains it)
Spices to be avoided
Nutmeg, Mustard, Pimiento, Red chilli, green chillies
(These spices are not suitable in case of pitta dosha aggravation)
DRINKS
Drinks to be consumed
Vegetable soups, Coconut water, Herbal tea
(They are balya for the body and helps in maintaining digestive fire)
Drinks to be avoided
Alcoholic beverages, Cream based drinks, Milk based drinks, Canned drinks, Carbonated and sweetened drinks
(Increases dosha vitiation)
FLESH FOODS
Flesh Foods to be consumed
Fish, Lean chicken (Occasionally)
(They are the source of protein and are very useful in providing the body with adequate nutrition)
Flesh Foods to be avoided
Fish fried in suitable oil, Red meat, Prawns, Lobster, Crab, Lean beef, Pork, Lamb, Ham, Turkey, Rabbit, Egg yolk, Fish roe, Sausages, Mutton, Salami, Bacon, Duck, Goose, Meat pies, Visible fat on meat, Organ parts like Liver, Kidney and Chest.
SEEDS AND DRY FRUITS
Dry Fruits to be consumed
Flax seeds, Almonds, Walnut, Raisins (Soaked one)
(Dry fruits and nuts are essential and helps in strengthening the body)
Dry Fruits to be avoided
Cashew, Pistachios, Peanuts, sunflower seeds, nuts
PREPARED FOODS
Prepared foods to be consumed
Homemade only
(As they do not contain preservatives and are really best in managing a number of conditions)
Prepared foods to be avoided
All bakery products or processed foods, Sauces, Fruit jellies, Jams, Mayonnaise, White sugar, Ice-cream, Cream soups, Dark chocolate, Butterscotch, Coconut bar, Chutneys, Pickles, Junk food, Deep fried foods, All Spicy and Salty foods, Refined sugar.
(These are not good for the body and contain a lot of preservatives which affect the body in a very bad way and diminish the agni)
SWEETENERS
Sweeteners to be consumed
Honey
(It is being guided as consumable by Ayurvedic Acharyas)
Sweeteners to be avoided
Jaggery, Sugar, All the artificial sweeteners
(They are potent for kapha aggravation and causing various symptom aggravation)
HOME REMEDIES
- Apply coconut oil on the affected area locally (It has a cooling effect on the application site)
- Consume 20-30 ml of bitter gourd juice regularly (Helps in blood detoxification)
- Consume Aloe vera juice everyday early in the morning and you can also apply Aloe vera gel locally on affected areas (It also provides a soothing effect on the application site)
- Apply tea tree oil locally on affected areas as it possesses anti inflammatory and antiseptic properties (Relieves burning sensation)
LIFESTYLE AND DIETARY TIPS
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.
- Avoid stress as it is also a triggering factor. You can do Yoga and meditation for it.
- Maintain personal hygiene as it will help in maintaining healthy skin.
- Sleep well on time and get up early in the morning.
- Avoid suppression of natural urges such as urination, defecation, sleep hunger, sneezing etc.