The skin is the largest human organ that performs a barrier function. And often it is the skin that reacts first to contact with allergens.
In some people, atopy is genetically determined – a constitutional feature that is an excessive, disproportionate reaction to contact with allergens, chemicals and environmental factors. Atopy differs from true allergy, is not considered a disease, but is considered by doctors as a feature of the body. It usually occurs with prolonged exposure to an irritating factor and does not always lead to an increase in the level of immunoglobulin E.
If a person is prone to atopy , then periodically he may experience atopic dermatitis – an inflammation of the skin, manifested by the following symptoms:
- irritation, itching;
- redness of the skin;
- small rashes, blisters;
- peeling of the skin.
Since atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease, in addition to treatment during an exacerbation, a lifestyle correction is necessary. It is important to stick to a diet in order to avoid the manifestations of the disease, or at least to make the remission as long as possible.
Diet is very important for any skin condition. Doctors have known for a long time that properly selected nutrition helps to reduce the manifestations of psoriasis, eczema and promotes lasting remission. The same is true for atopic dermatitis. It is important to say that diet does not mean restricting the calorie content of the diet, not reducing the intake of fats and carbohydrates, but balanced, high-quality nutrition that can provide the body with valuable nutrients without overloading it with allergens and food waste.
Hypoallergenic diet for atopic dermatitis
Here are the basic guidelines for nutritional management for atopic dermatitis:
- it is important to exclude all potentially harmful foods that negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract: chips, crackers, chocolate bars, mayonnaise, carbonated drinks, lollipops, cakes;
- smoked meats, sausages, sausages, that is, any types of processed meat, negatively affect the skin;
- broths should be avoided, it is better to cook soups in vegetable broths or just in water;
- processed cheeses are prohibited, but you can eat low-fat hard cheese – it is healthy and rich in calcium;
- oddly enough, but some vegetables can also harm – radishes, radishes, sauerkraut, pickled vegetables and pickles, eggplants, red bell peppers, tomatoes;
- it is better to give up strawberries, strawberries, citrus fruits, sea buckthorn, pineapples, melons for a while;
- coffee, cocoa and chocolate should be avoided, at least in moments of exacerbations, and during remission, reduce their consumption;
- instead of whole milk, you should drink kefir or yogurt;
- it is better to give up seafood and fish for a while;
- banned honey and baked goods, all nuts;
- you can eat lean meats, all cereals, except semolina, dairy products, hard mild and rennet cheeses, second grade bread or whole grain , green vegetables, for example, zucchini, squash, green beans, cucumbers, greens;
- coffee can be replaced with rosehip broth, weak tea;
- it is very good to bake apples as a delicacy, they are rich in potassium, you can also cook dried fruit compote without adding raisins.
You can afford a lot of products, so there is nothing difficult in organizing a full-fledged diet that will improve your skin condition.
Not only the products are important, but also the way they are prepared. With atopic dermatitis, you should not fry food, it is better to boil, bake and steam.
Often, atopic dermatitis affects children who react to even a slight ingestion of an allergen into the body. For example, a child eats several strawberries, and after a while he has skin reactions, mood and general well-being deteriorate. But often with age, such reactions pass or become much less pronounced, then it will be possible to remove or weaken the restrictions. If atopy persists into adulthood, you will have to adjust your life and adhere to a general hypoallergic diet, at least in the acute period. Diet makes a significant contribution to improving the condition in atopic dermatitis, as well as a balanced diet in psoriasis. If rebuilding food is difficult, you can keep a food diary and make a menu for the week.