Foods to Avoid that Cause Skin Breakout

Years ago, a number of foods were blamed for adolescent acne conditions. Teens were cautioned to avoid chocolate, fried or oily foods (chicken, fries, etc.), as well as dairy products which included high levels of fat. The medical reasoning was sound. It was known that during puberty, oil glands are overactive and with increased consumption of fatty foods, the oil collection in skin pores would only be made worse.

Acne we know is caused by pores becoming clogged with oil and when dirt becomes imbedded in this oil an eruption can result. It made sense then to avoid those foods which would add oil into your body.

Medical science came to know as well that acne eruptions were also the result of bacteria becoming caught in large pores clogged with oil. Thus, the treatment for acne became two-fold and avoidance of foods that contained lots of oils and the use of antibacterial skin cleansers and oral antibiotic tablets, were used to reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin and within the pores themselves. This treatment has been the mainstay for acne for many years. Although, in severe cases, there are new medications which provide far more aggressive approaches to the condition. While every body is different, certain foods should be avoided if one suffers from acne. These include all dairy foods with a high fat content, eggs, fried foods, peanut butter, etc. The exact foods may take some experimentation by the individual. The experimentation requires lots of time and patience and it can be pretty frustrating while in the process.

It is important as well to consider allergies which contribute to a variety of skin conditions. Many foods can cause eczema or psoriasis, two skin conditions which are rather chronic and must be controlled by both diet and medications. Again, avoidance of certain foods has proved helpful, particularly those with dairy components, eggs, fish, and some vegetables such as tomatoes. Eczema results in red scaly patches on the skin and is usually controlled with specific lotions and salves. Those with chronic eczema, usually undergo food allergy testing because it does appear to be directly related to an intolerance associated with certain food items.

Hives can be caused by food allergies as well. Common among these are seafood and milk products, but almost any food can be a culprit if the individual has a sensitivity to it. Reducing food-based hives will necessitate food allergy testing and then avoidance of the specific culprit foods. Again, testing for these allergens can be time-consuming and frustrating. However, well worth it if one can be rid of hives permanently.

In general, there are some universal culprits for individuals fighting common skin outbreaks. First, avoid foods high in fat which include dairy products, peanut oil products, fried foods (and this means fast-food ) eggs, and large amounts of sugars. If your condition improves, you may add one back at a time and test in this manner. If avoidance of these foods does not bring relief, a dermatologist should be consulted.