Should You Try an Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)?
Published on November 26, 2025
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A stunningly wide array of factors can trigger eczema symptoms, including those of atopic dermatitis, its most common form, including weather and hormonal changes, environmental allergens, irritants in cleaning and skin-care products, and even foods.
"We're still learning about how diet is connected with eczema, and we don't know enough yet to recommend that diet alone can treat the condition," says Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City. "However, anti-inflammatory eating patterns, such as a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, may help reduce flares and severity in some people with atopic dermatitis."
The approach emphasizes avoiding certain foods known to cause inflammation in the body, she says. Those include sugar-sweetened beverages, deep-fried foods, store-bought baked goods, and processed meats.
"These foods can promote systemic inflammation, which may worsen skin barrier dysfunction and therefore make eczema severity and symptoms worse," says Dr. Lipner.
With that in mind, here's a look at what an anti-inflammatory diet includes, and how it may affect atopic dermatitis.
What Is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?
Inflammation is the body’s way of trying to maintain good health. It’s a defensive immune response to injury and invaders like viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. But in chronic illness, inflammation itself can become chronic; in this case, the immune system continues to trigger inflammatory cells even when there isn't a threat. That can lead to damage that may affect your skin, joints, organs, and even your mental health.
Because of that, reducing inflammation is important to allow healing. Fortunately, dietary choices can play a role in bringing down systemic, chronic inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet is characterized by foods that are known to have inflammation-reducing properties, which include:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes
- Herbs and spices such as turmeric and ginger
- Plant-based protein
- Olive oil
- Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and sardines
Another key reason that an anti-inflammatory diet may be helpful for eczema — or some other chronic conditions — is because of how it affects the gastrointestinal system, says Adiana Castro, RDN, a registered dietitian-nutritionist specializing in gut health and the owner of Compass Nutrition in New York City.
"There is a connection between gut health and eczema, through the gut-skin axis," she says. "Dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of the gut microbiome, can promote gut inflammation and may trigger or worsen skin inflammation. In order to prevent dysbiosis, we need a strong gut microbiome. An anti-inflammatory diet, especially through a diversity of plants … provides fuel for the beneficial bacteria that help both the gut and the skin to be healthy."
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Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Eczema: What Research Shows
Although more research needs to be done to pinpoint the effects of dietary choices on eczema, there have been some studies that suggest an anti-inflammatory diet can be beneficial, Lipner says.
One research review that looked at dietary patterns and their impact on atopic dermatitis found that omega-3 fatty acids can improve skin inflammation. Plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds also helped with inflammation associated with eczema, while bolstering the skin's barrier function and helping to lock in hydration. The review offers dietary recommendations that include avoiding triggers and incorporating anti-inflammatory foods as a way of managing atopic dermatitis.
The role of pro-inflammatory foods has also been investigated, and research suggests there's a significant association between high consumption of pro-inflammatory foods and an increased prevalence of atopic dermatitis. Researchers note that the intake of dietary fiber in plant-based diets can significantly reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
Should You Try an Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Eczema?
Although an anti-inflammatory diet isn't likely to eliminate all eczema symptoms or prevent flares altogether, it can be helpful, especially since people with atopic dermatitis are more prone to food allergies and sensitivities that can worsen inflammation, says Amy Huang, MD, a dermatologist at the Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City.
"These [reactions] tend to be tied to foods high in histamines, such as cured meats, and may include other foods that are seen as pro-inflammatory, like sugary treats and high-fat, processed foods," she says. "Because of that, an anti-inflammatory diet can be useful for minimizing any food allergy risk, as well as lowering inflammation in general for those with eczema."
A good starting point is to cut back on refined sugars and highly processed foods while eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fatty fish, says Lipner. Consulting with a registered dietitian can also be helpful for creating a long-term plan that incorporates more anti-inflammatory foods into your everyday mix, she says.
The Takeaway
- Chronic, systemic inflammation can affect any organ system in the body, including the skin; for those with eczema (atopic dermatitis), this might take the form of flares and more severe symptoms.
- An anti-inflammatory diet can be helpful for controlling inflammation, as well as improving gut health — an important consideration since there's a connection between gut function and eczema.
- Anti-inflammatory foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish, and certain herbs and spices.
Resources We Trust
- Mayo Clinic: Want to Reduce Chronic Inflammation? Start With Your Grocery List
- Cleveland Clinic: Inflammation
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Anti Inflammatory Diet
- UCLA Health: Anti-inflammatory Diet Can Help Find Eczema Triggers
- National Eczema Association: A Dermatologist Explains the Basics of Food Allergies and Eczema
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
- Atopic Eczema: Causes of Atopic Eczema. NHS Inform. June 17, 2025.
- Papapostolou N et al. Atopic Dermatitis and Food Allergy: A Complex Interplay What We Know and What We Would Like to Learn. Journal of Clinical Medicine. July 21, 2022.
- Johnson JL. A Look at the Food Elimination Diet Trend for Atopic Dermatitis. National Eczema Association. January 3, 2024.
- Anti Inflammatory Diet. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
- Beck LA et al. Type 2 Inflammation Contributes to Skin Barrier Dysfunction in Atopic Dermatitis. JID Innovations. September 2022.
- Inflammation. Cleveland Clinic. March 22, 2024.
- Foods That Fight Inflammation. Harvard Health Publishing. March 26, 2024.
- Yu X et al. Overview of Anti-Inflammatory Diets and Their Promising Effects on Non-Communicable Diseases. British Journal of Nutrition. October 16, 2024.
- De Pessemier B et al. Gut-Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship Between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions. Microorganisms. February 11, 2021.
- Munteanu C et al. Unraveling the Gut-Skin Axis: The Role of Microbiota in Skin Health and Disease. Cosmetics. August 8, 2025.
- Molla A. Dietary Patterns and Their Impact on Atopic Dermatitis: A Comprehensive Review. The Open Dermatology Journal. June 6, 2024.
- Tan K et al. Dietary Inflammation: A Potential Driver of Atopic Dermatitis? –Evidence from KNHANES 2017–2023. Frontiers in Immunology. June 19, 2025.
- A Dermatologist Explains The Basics of Food Allergies and Eczema. National Eczema Association. January 2, 2025.
- Histamine Intolerance. Allergy UK.
- Tan K et al. Dietary Inflammation: A Potential Driver of Atopic Dermatitis? Evidence From KNHANES 2017–2023. Frontiers in Immunology. June 19, 2025.
Meet Our Experts
Jacquelyn Dosal, MD
Medical Reviewer
Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.
Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.
Elizabeth Millard
Author
Elizabeth Millard is a Minnesota-based freelance health writer. Her work has appeared in national outlets and medical institutions including Time, Women‘s Health, Self, Runner‘s World, Prevention, and more. She is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher, and is trained in obesity management.