What foods should you avoid if you have seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic dermatological disease. In addition to atopic factors and sebaceous glands, diet can also affect the severity and frequency of recurrence. Eating is not the direct cause of the disease, but some foods can make skin redness, scaling, and itching worse.

You should limit foods high in sugar and fat such as candy, soft drinks, milk tea, fast food, and fried foods. Sugar and grease can increase the inflammatory response, stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil, making the skin more susceptible to flaking and the disease is difficult to control, especially on the scalp and face.

Some people notice more severe symptoms when consuming a lot of milk and dairy products such as cheese, cream, butter, yogurt… The reason is that this group of foods can make the sebaceous glands more active in sensitive people, although not everyone needs to abstain completely. Alcohol and hot spices such as chili and pepper can dilate blood vessels under the skin, making the damaged area more red and itchy, especially during the disease outbreak.

Besides strictly following your doctor’s treatment regimen and abstaining appropriately, you should increase foods that are beneficial for your skin. Green vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C and E such as spinach, oranges, kiwi… help prevent oxidation, reduce inflammation, and support the restoration of the skin barrier. Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3, which has natural anti-inflammatory effects, helping to soothe irritated skin. Whole grains and seeds such as almonds and chia seeds provide fiber, vitamins and minerals necessary for skin regeneration.

Please note that there is no diet that can cure seborrheic dermatitis. Diet only plays a supporting role, the most important thing is to follow treatment according to your doctor’s instructions, take care of your skin properly and monitor how your body reacts to each type of food to make adjustments. You should go to a hospital with a specialist in Dermatology – Skin Aesthetics to get a doctor’s diagnosis and appropriate treatment.