Foods to Avoid With Psoriasis and Eczema: What Your Skin Is Trying to Tell You
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Managing psoriasis or eczema goes far beyond what you apply to the skin. While topical products play a crucial role in soothing irritation and supporting barrier repair, many people notice that flare-ups are heavily influenced by what they eat. Understanding the foods to avoid with psoriasis and eczema can help calm inflammation, reduce itching, and support a healthier, more predictable skin cycle.
This guide breaks down the most common trigger foods, why they cause issues, and what you can do to support your skin both nutritionally and topically. We also highlight gentle, skin-supportive options from Australian Psoriasis and Eczema Supplies to complement your internal approach and create a full-body routine designed to minimise flare-ups.
Why Diet Matters for Psoriasis and Eczema
Psoriasis and eczema are inflammatory skin conditions, meaning that when the immune system becomes overstimulated, symptoms appear or worsen. Food isn’t the cause of these conditions, but it can influence:
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Systemic inflammation
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Histamine responses
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Gut microbiome balance
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Immune activity
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Skin barrier function
Certain foods are known to aggravate inflammation in the body, which in turn manifests on the skin. Reducing dietary triggers often means fewer flare-ups, less itching, and a more manageable skincare routine.
Common Foods to Avoid With Psoriasis and Eczema
Dairy Products
Dairy is one of the most common triggers because it can stimulate inflammatory responses and, in some people, increase mucous production and histamine release. Milk, cheese, ice cream, cream, and yoghurt may all contribute to flare-ups.
Some individuals find complete elimination helpful, while others simply reduce intake. If dairy seems to worsen redness or itching, trialling a dairy-free period may be worthwhile.
Gluten-Containing Grains
Gluten sensitivity does not only affect digestion. For many people with psoriasis or eczema, gluten can trigger inflammation that appears directly on the skin. Wheat, barley, rye, and foods made from these grains may contribute to flare-ups.
Gluten-free alternatives—such as rice, quinoa, and buckwheat—are often easier on both the gut and skin.
Processed Sugars
Sugar spikes insulin levels, which can activate inflammatory pathways and worsen symptoms. High-sugar foods also feed harmful gut bacteria, upsetting microbiome balance and weakening the immune system’s stability.
Foods to reduce include:
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Cakes
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Pastries
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Lollies
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Sugary drinks
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Breakfast cereals
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High-fructose syrups
Choosing whole foods and natural sweeteners can significantly improve long-term skin health.
Nightshade Vegetables
Nightshades include tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, capsicums, and chillies. These vegetables contain alkaloids, which can trigger inflammation in sensitive individuals. Not everyone reacts to nightshades, but for those who do, flare-ups can be noticeable.
Psoriasis sufferers report more consistent improvement when reducing or removing nightshades from their diet.
Red Meat and Processed Meat
Red meat is high in saturated fats and arachidonic acid—both known to increase inflammation. Processed meats such as salami, sausages, bacon, and ham often contain preservatives that may intensify irritation.
Choosing fish, plant proteins, and lean white meats can help maintain a more balanced inflammatory response.
Fried Foods and Trans Fats
Deep-fried foods, hydrogenated oils, and fast food meals all contain fats that promote inflammation. These can put stress on the liver and digestive system, which in turn impacts the skin.
Common examples include:
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Chips
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Fried chicken
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Doughnuts
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Takeaway fried meals
Replacing these with baked, grilled, or air-fried foods can be surprisingly beneficial.
Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates the body, increases inflammation, and can disrupt immune function. It is also a known trigger for many psoriasis and eczema sufferers.
If flare-ups occur after drinking, consider reducing alcohol intake or switching to low-histamine alternatives.
Foods High in Histamine
For individuals with eczema, histamine sensitivity is especially common. High-histamine foods include:
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Aged cheeses
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Fermented foods
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Alcohol
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Cured meats
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Vinegar-based items
If you experience itchy, hot, or red flare-ups soon after eating, histamine may be playing a key role.
Supporting Your Skin Through Gentle, Effective Topicals
While identifying foods to avoid with psoriasis and eczema is powerful, diet alone isn't enough. A strong topical routine helps repair the barrier, reduce inflammation, and soothe irritation.
Australian Psoriasis and Eczema Supplies offers targeted products designed for sensitive skin conditions. Some beneficial options include:
Natural skincare options that help calm flare-ups
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PsoEasy Shampoo – A gentle formula created specifically to soothe psoriasis on the scalp, reduce irritation, and minimise scaling without harsh chemicals.
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PsoEasy Creams and Lotions – Designed to moisturise deeply, reduce redness, and support natural skin recovery.
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Dead Sea Mineral-Based Products – Known for their high concentration of skin-restoring minerals that may assist with chronic dryness, flaking, and inflammation.
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Oat and Botanical-Based Moisturisers – A calming option for dry, irritated, or sensitive skin.
These products support your external routine while dietary choices support your internal balance—an effective combination for long-term management.
How to Identify Your Personal Trigger Foods
Every person experiences psoriasis and eczema differently. What triggers a severe flare in one individual may have no effect in another. The key is learning how your skin responds.
Keep a food and symptom diary
Track what you eat and note any flare-ups over a 4–6 week period.
Trial elimination and reintroduction
Remove one suspected trigger at a time. After a few weeks, reintroduce it and observe your skin closely.
Don’t overlook hidden ingredients
Preservatives, thickeners, and food dyes can also irritate the skin.
Understand that multiple triggers may overlap
For example, a high-histamine food combined with a high-sugar meal could produce a stronger reaction.
What to Eat Instead: Skin-Friendly Foods
Avoiding triggers doesn’t mean restrictive eating. Many foods help support skin healing, reduce inflammation, and promote healthier flare patterns.
Anti-inflammatory foods that help calm the skin
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Salmon, sardines, and other omega-rich fish
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Blueberries, strawberries, and antioxidant-rich fruits
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Green leafy vegetables
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Nuts and seeds (except for those sensitive to them)
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Oats and whole grains
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Turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon
Hydration plays a major role
Keeping the skin hydrated from the inside out can help reduce the severity of dryness and itching.
Probiotics and gut-supportive foods
A thriving gut microbiome can improve immune function and help the skin stay calmer.
Combining Diet and Topical Care for Best Results
Managing psoriasis or eczema is rarely a one-step solution. It usually requires a combination of:
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Avoiding trigger foods
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Supporting the gut
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Using skin-calming topical products
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Reducing stress
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Getting adequate sleep
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Maintaining consistent skincare habits
When you understand the foods to avoid with psoriasis and eczema, flare-ups often become less frequent and less severe. Pairing these dietary habits with gentle, therapeutic products from Australian Psoriasis and Eczema Supplies gives your skin comprehensive support from both inside and outside.
Long-term improvement is possible when the body is approached holistically—and consistency is key.
Final Thoughts - Foods to Avoid With Psoriasis and Eczema
Diet affects everyone differently, but identifying and reducing trigger foods can significantly improve daily comfort and skin stability. Whether you are managing mild irritation or more persistent symptoms, avoiding common inflammatory foods and choosing skin-friendly alternatives can lead to noticeable changes.
Complementing these dietary adjustments with non-irritating, targeted skincare from Australian Psoriasis and Eczema Supplies helps create a complete routine designed to calm flare-ups and support long-term skin health.