Is Cabbage the New Miracle Cure for Eczema?

Along with warmer, drier weather may, unfortunately, also come something much less enjoyable: eczema. For many people, this red, itchy, flaky skin condition is a bothersome or even painful concern that tends to occur in cycles of flare ups. While its exact causes are unknown, eczema is likely due to genetics and external stressors that can exacerbate its symptoms. In fact, food can often affect your skin health, and eczema is no exception. But is it possible that something as seemingly simple as cabbage could be the “miracle cure” for this common skin condition?

Why Cabbage?

One of the first steps you can take toward controlling your eczema is discovering which environmental factors may be influencing your symptoms. In some cases, these factors need to be avoided, whereas in others, increasing their positive impact can actually work wonders on your skin. Cabbage just so happens to be one of these natural factors that may be able to alleviate your eczema symptoms and improve your skin’s appearance.

What’s so special about cabbage? Firstly, it’s very low in salicylates, chemicals that function as naturally occurring pesticides in many different plants. But, they are well-known to cause allergic reactions in humans, producing the dry, itchy skin characteristic of eczema (Auckland Allergy Clinic). Secondly, cabbage can also improve your gut health and reduce inflammation, which plays a major role in eczema flare ups (Reuters Health). Thus, while it isn’t likely to act as a magic pill, eating cabbage may help to significantly reduce your symptoms and clear up your skin.

In addition to cabbage, there are quite a few other foods that may be able to alleviate your eczema and leave you with smoother, healthier skin. These include:

• Banana
• Potatoes
• Beef or chicken broth
• Green onions
• Rice milk

Conversely, staying away from these foods may also help to improve your eczema symptoms:

• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Wheat
• Nuts

Professional Treatment Methods for Eczema

Even if you are eating the right things and avoiding your triggers, eczema can be difficult to clear up entirely. If you’re having trouble with dry, itchy patches of skin, talk to your dermatologist about the following professional treatments for eczema.

• Professional skin care products. Sometimes, treating specific skin conditions is all about utilizing the right ingredients. If harsh chemical ingredients are irritating your skin rather than correcting the problem, you may want to try gentler professional skin care products. At Acqua Blu Medical Spa in Upper St. Clair, we carry a wide variety of skin care products that may help to clear your eczema and leave you with smooth, even skin.
• Microdermabrasion. When excessive flaking of your skin becomes an issue, microdermabrasion can help by sweeping away patches of dead skin cells that have built up on the surface, creating that itchy, uncomfortable feeling. While many people notice a significant improvement in the texture of their skin after just one session, it may be beneficial to receive multiple microdermabrasion treatments to effectively address eczema symptoms.

The Bottom Line

It’s no secret that what you eat can affect your skin, and cabbage certainly does have the odds stacked in its favor as an excellent method of reducing eczema symptoms. By paying attention to what you are (and are not) eating, and even seeking some professional advice, you can be well on your way to clearer, smoother, and healthier skin in no time.

If you’re struggling with eczema but aren’t quite sure where to start in terms of its treatment or management, consider scheduling a consultation with the team at Acqua Blu Medical Spa under Dr. Brian V. Heil, MD, FACS.

Please contact us at (724) 933-1800 for more information about your eczema treatment options, or to schedule a consultation. With the right treatment plan, you can achieve the comfortable, clear skin that you’ve always wanted.