Do you struggle with the dry, itchy skin caused by eczema?

Have you wondered if your diet is contributing to your eczema flare-ups?

If so, read on as we explore the benefits of adopting an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema. 

What is Eczema?

Eczema is an inflammatory response to an irritant that causes redness, dryness, irritation and itching on the skin. It is known by several other names including atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis.

What Causes Eczema? 

According to the National Eczema Association, about 31 million people in America are currently living with eczema. The cause isn’t clearly understood, but it’s believed that genetics and environmental or dietary triggers contribute to skin inflammation known as eczema.  

Common eczema triggers can be laundry detergent, lotions, skin care products, shampoo, soap, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, foods, and even hormones. 

Typical Treatments for Eczema

While there is no cure for eczema, there are several treatments that can help relieve symptoms during flare-ups. Avoiding triggers by eliminating the most likely suspects is a great place to start.

A typical medical treatment would be a topical cortisol-steroid cream. The cream would ideally work to moisturize the skin, protect it from irritation, and relieve itching. If the topical treatment doesn’t provide relief, oral steroids or an injection may be prescribed.

If these treatments don’t work or provide the relief you’re looking for, a diet change may help to improve and reduce flare-ups. 

Elimination Diet for Eczema

Since eczema is an inflammatory response to something in the environment, which could include diet, it makes sense that removing foods that cause inflammation could be helpful. 

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reports that 30% of kids under age 5 who have eczema also suffer from at least one food allergy. The most common food allergens linked to eczema are eggs, milk, wheat, soy, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. 

Eliminating these foods for a period of two weeks or more and reintroducing one at a time over the course of several weeks is known as an elimination diet. With each food reintroduced, pay attention to the body’s response. If there are no inflammatory responses (eczema flare-ups), the food is probably safe to remain in your diet. 

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Eczema

After eliminating foods, you may feel frustrated or even depressed if many foods were eliminated long-term. Consider following an anti-inflammatory diet plan for eczema. 

While saturated fats and Omega-6 fats should be reduced, monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 fats should be increased. So instead of vegetable oils, choose olive or coconut oils. Instead of red meat, choose salmon. 

If you follow an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema relief, be sure to avoid refined carbohydrates and sugars. Be sure to increase your fruits and vegetables. 

Consider adding the following supplements to your diet. 

• Probiotics (good gut health)
• Fish oil
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B6
• Bromelain 
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Hemp Seed Oil
• Sunflower Oil

You can read more about the use of CBD oil for eczema at Pinnacle Hemp. 

Eat Well to Be Well

There are several options for the treatment and prevention of eczema. We know that the best diet for eczema is that one that you can stick to. We hope you’ll consider adding an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema to your arsenal for keeping flare-ups in check. 

If you’ve enjoyed this article, be sure to read more health-related articles here on this blog.  

     Have a long layover? Maybe a day to kill during a longer trip? Or just like to get out of town? If any of those apply, these five cities are the best places in the world to spend a 24-hour vacation! 

ISTANBUL

     Istanbul is the ideal one-day vacation destination for the historian, as it lies right on the Bosphorus river, the geographical division point of Asia and Europe. The architecture in Istanbul is truly breathtaking as some of it has been there since the Roman and Ottoman Empires. Can’t-miss attractions include the Topkapi Palace, the former home of the Ottoman sultan, the Hagia Sophia, a sixth-century mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, which is the oldest covered market in the world. And if you have any extra time and feel like relaxing a bit, enjoy one of the city’s numerous Turkish baths, or historichammams.

AMSTERDAM

     Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it owes a lot of its beauty to its architecture. You could spend an entire day there just walking in and taking in the buildings and you wouldn’t feel like you’ve wasted your day. If you don’t feel like walking, there are also daily boat tours that travel along the many canals that run through the city. Not to mention the countless museums in Amsterdam all with amazing works of art. And of course, no Amsterdam vacation would be complete without a trip to the Anne Frank house.

SEATTLE

     The jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle may seem like a big city, but what makes it attractive for a short trip is the fact that many of its best attractions are all very close to each other. Even with only 24 hours, you’ll have enough time to take in the Museum of Pop Culture, the Space Needle, and the world-famous Pike Place Market. Try to throw one of those fish if they’ll let you. It’s harder than you think!

HONG KONG

     Hong Kong is one of the biggest and fastest-moving metropolitan cities in the world. The sights and views and endless and bountiful in this lively city. Be sure to check out the giant Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island, and of course the Hong Kong Museum of History. If you’re a tea nut, rumor has it that the MingCha Tea House has some of the best tea in the city. And the best part about Hong Kong? Unlike the rest of China, anyone visiting from North America or Europe don’t have to get a visa in advance. 

REYKJAVIK

     Reykjavik is the capital of one of the most scenically beautiful countries in the world, Iceland. It is the home of the famous Blue Lagoon, the geothermal spa that you’ve probably seen on your Instagram feed more than once. There you can also find the architectural feat, Hallgrimskirkya. Which is just an enormous, beautiful church. And, if you’re feeling saucy, take a tour of the Phallological Musem, which is a museum entirely dedicated to, well, phalluses.

Heading out of town for a business trip can be something that adds a bit of variety to your month. Not all professionals enjoy traveling as some do not like staying in hotels and do not sleep well there. Being the point person for a company to travel to meet with big clients can allow you to climb the corporate ladder. Travel is going to be a bit stressful as there is always a chance weather or a flight cancellation due to understaffing impacts your trip. There are going to be those things out of your control that you should not stress about. A flight being delayed is not something within your control and a client will likely forgive you for being a bit late due to travel delays. The following are tips to manage different aspects of your next business trip.

Keeping Expenses Organized

Keeping the expenses you incur during a trip is very important. You might have a company credit card which makes this far easier. You do not want to lose money by being sent on the trip. You should ask to be reimbursed with the receipts to prove you paid if you have to spend your own money. There are apps that you can use to take pictures of receipts that automatically categorize them for you. If you own your own business, you should have a credit card for just business. With this being said, it can be hard to differentiate personal and professional costs so getting a small business accounting specialist is imperative. 

Scheduling Time To Decompress 

A long business trip can be something that completely drains you emotionally and physically. Pitching clients and building rapport can be something that tires you out after a period of time. You should look for various opportunities to have a bit of fun or to relax during your trip. You want to rejuvenate so you can be your best each day of the trip. You should not constantly be doing something that you still have personal time that you have free. Too many professionals use the entire trip for work which results in them more tired than when they left for the trip. 

Keeping Up With Work In The Office

A great way to consistently be selected to travel for business is to hit deadlines for the work you have in the office. Use the time that you are on the plane to work as this can be a good time to get things done. Most travelers want to avoid talking to the person next to them as it can be uncomfortable. You should ask for extensions on deadlines if the trip simply made it too difficult to maintain your usual quality of work. Plan certain tasks for various legs of your trip as a long flight can allow you to complete quite a bit of work.

A business trip can be something that can take your career to the next level. You should also be able to enjoy yourself as traveling on your company’s dime can be a nice little treat.