People with eczema are particularly anxious during seasonal transitions, as changes in humidity and temperature can stimulate the skin, making the skin barrier more vulnerable to damage and worsening the eczema. The skin becomes intensely itchy, making it difficult to fall asleep. To improve eczema, Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner Ngai Wing Mui suggests starting with diet and debunking some eczema myths, including the causes of eczema. What foods should people with eczema avoid?
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, eczema has multiple causes, generally classified as dry eczema and wet eczema. Dry eczema, as the name suggests, refers to drier skin, often accompanied by thickening, roughness, and hardening. Wet eczema tends to have exudation, with the skin easily releasing fluid after scratching, leading to damage and the appearance of redness, and even raised rashes in the affected area. The transition eczema in Hong Kong during the spring and summer seasons mostly belongs to “wet eczema,” which is related to the gradually increasing humidity in the weather.
Hydration is extremely important for the human body, but excessive moisture can become a burden, which is referred to as “dampness” in traditional Chinese medicine. When the weather transitions to spring, the humidity increases and there are more rainy days, causing the body to absorb more moisture. When excessive dampness accumulates on the skin, it can trigger eczema and transition from a calm chronic phase to an acute phase, causing itchy skin. Therefore, most eczema patients will notice that their condition worsens when it is cloudy or rainy, or before a windy day.
Further reading:
- April Art Tour Must-Visit Places: 7 Local Exhibitions You Shouldn’t Miss!
- Hello，Our Planet!
- 《模仿犯》47 歲林心如肌膚光滑緊緻 全靠這項運動雕塑身材消水腫
Applying face masks and using hyaluronic acid on a regular basis is to provide more moisture to the skin. So why does the humidity during seasonal transitions lead to eczema? The cause is that “humidity” refers to excessive and unwanted moisture, which is waste that the body cannot absorb or eliminate. When waste accumulates on the skin, various skin problems naturally arise. On the other hand, face masks and hyaluronic acid provide clean and beneficial moisture that the skin can absorb, so they do not burden the skin.
Eczema Dietary Restrictions 1 / Heaty Foods
The weather changes with humidity, and along with it comes a rise in temperature. When heat combines with humidity, it becomes “damp heat.” Damp heat can make the skin redder and more prone to sensitivity and itching. Scratching can also cause the rash to spread to other areas, worsening the overall condition. If you consume more hot and spicy foods, such as chili, curry, beef, ginger, garlic, onions, and black pepper, eczema flare-ups can become more severe.
Eczema Dietary Restrictions 2 / Cold Food
When it comes to dampness, many people know that cold foods such as sushi, salad, ice cream, and cold drinks can cause dampness. Shellfish such as oysters, shrimp, and crabs are also considered “dampness-inducing” and can cause itching.
Eczema-friendly foods 3 / Foods rich in fats
But few people will notice that foods rich in fat are also prone to causing dampness. Common examples include chicken skin, pork fat (such as the skin and fatty parts of chicken cutlets, pork chops, and roasted meat), and some foods that are considered healthy, such as avocados and salmon. Although they contain healthier fats, they are still considered fatty foods. It is advisable to avoid consuming them on days when eczema is prone to flare up due to changes in weather. Individuals with wet eczema should also try to reduce their consumption and wait until their eczema improves before eating them again.
Dr. Ni recommends a tea that helps to remove dampness during the changing seasons: Coix Seed Tea for Spleen and Dampness Removal. The ingredients include 20 grams of raw and cooked coix seeds, 10 grams of fried white kidney beans, 15 grams of adzuki beans, and 6 grams of white atractylodes. The method is simple: lightly rinse all the ingredients, prepare 1 liter of water, boil on high heat for 20 minutes, then simmer on low heat for 15 minutes before drinking. It is highly suitable for individuals with damp eczema, but remember to avoid using it during menstruation.
Learn more: Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner Ngai Wing Mui
