5. Try an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Inflammation is the immune system’s natural response to injury or infection. It’s a normal part of healing. But in people with atopic dermatitis, the immune system remains active even when there’s no infection or injury. This abnormal inflammatory response is part of what causes conditions like atopic dermatitis.
Factors like diet can help or hurt inflammation levels in people with atopic dermatitis. That’s why dietary strategies that reduce inflammation, such as an anti-inflammatory diet, can offer symptom relief, says Deeptej Singh, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
An anti-inflammatory diet isn’t a formal diet plan. Rather, it’s a general eating pattern that emphasizes eating more foods shown to reduce inflammation, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting foods that worsen inflammation, like added sugars, meats, and processed foods. “Generally speaking, it will be very plant-forward,” says Dr. Singh.
If you’d like to make changes to your diet, Singh recommends seeking guidance from a dermatologist or a registered dietitian (which is often covered by insurance) to create an eating plan that suits your needs.
