When I started the carnivore diet, one of the conditions I suffered from among others was eczema. Did it help? In this article, I’ll explore the possible benefits and drawbacks of following a carnivore diet for people with eczema and other related skin issues.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, dry, & itchy skin patches, often leading to discomfort and even infection. Diet & lifestyle factors can play a significant role in managing eczema symptoms, & the carnivore diet; an elimination-based diet that consists of only meat, organ meats, & animal products; has been proposed as a potential solution.
By reducing inflammation and eliminating common irritants found in plant-based foods, the carnivore diet may be useful for some individuals with eczema. In this article I’ll cover:
- what happened to my eczema patches
- anecdotal experiences from people on the carnivore diet
- why it may or may not help your skin conditions
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for general informational & educational purposes only, & is not a substitute for professional advice. I am simply someone passing on information that I have found useful to myself. For full disclaimer, click here.
Eczema typically begins in childhood and can continue into adulthood, affecting people of all ages. Although I only have a mild form of eczema, I have a family member who has had severe eczema since birth, so I know first-hand how debilitating the condition can be.
Topical creams/lotions and medications can only do so much, so it is worth looking into anything that may be able to help the condition outside of traditional topical lotions and medications.
The biggest question here is, will a change of diet do anything to improve eczema…?
Will a Meat Based Diet Help with Eczema?
The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. And there is also a direct link between eczema and autoimmune conditions(r).
Certain triggers can worsen eczema, such as allergens, irritants, and temperature changes. Allergens can include:
- dust mites
- pollen
- certain foods like milk, eggs, nuts, or fish.
Identifying and avoiding these triggers can help manage the symptoms.
A couple of key things from the information above:
- Foods can trigger eczema
- eczema is linked to autoimmunity
These two key pieces of information can suggest that perhaps the carnivore diet may help with eczema. Not only because it can work as an elimination diet, which removes many potentially food sensitivities, but also because the carnivore diet is anecdotally known to be effective at improving many autoimmune conditions.
Because diet has been suspected to play a role in eczema for some people, the carnivore diet, which consists of only animal-based products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, can be used as a potential solution for improving skin conditions like eczema.
The rationale behind this approach is that by eliminating potential allergens and inflammatory foods, the diet may help reduce inflammation in the body and improve the skin’s health. Many people have reported improvements when eliminating the foods that were potentially triggering their eczema.
For me, my skin improved dramatically when I went carnivore. And certainly for my brother, it turned out he had a severe milk allergy that was causing his eczema, and as soon as he cut this out of his diet, he saw a marked improvement in his symptoms.
Eczema is a complex skin condition influenced by various factors, including genetics, environmental triggers, and possibly diet. The carnivore diet may offer some relief for those with eczema due to its focus on eliminating potential allergens and reducing inflammation.
This exciting study showed an overwhelmingly positive improvement in wellbeing, chronic disease, sleep, and mental clarity among other things, with an extremely small percentage (about 1%) having any negative side affects from the diet.
Although it didn’t measure eczema specifically, it did improve general health for people, including chronic disease. So, all things considered, it might be worth trying out this way of eating to see if there are improvements.
NOTE: Although the carnivore diet includes dairy and eggs; these seem to be a trigger for many people with eczema, so it may be worth eliminating these to begin with and focus instead on meats and organ meats, such as on the Lion diet.
What Happened to My Eczema Patches on the Carnivore Diet
I had some eczema patches on my hands, feet, behind my right ear, and general dry and itchy skin all over. The first 2 months of eating carnivore, my all over itching increased slightly, especially at night. And I actually developed new patches all over my arms.
But I knew from others having gone through similar, that sometimes there is a detox effect, where the body is getting rid of stuff through the skin. So, I persevered, and by the end of month 3, my skin had not only stopped itching, but had stopped being dry and several of my eczema patches, both old and new had disappeared.
My eczema symptoms had improved dramatically, as did some of my other health issues that I had (read my story here for more details). The patch behind my right ear is still there but is nowhere as severe, and I’m sure that I will continue to see improvements.
This is my experience, but it may not be the same for you. And as I have mentioned above, there can be other factors involved in your skin condition, such as environment, or genetics. If food is solely the reason you have eczema, then you may see a dramatic improvement, but if there are other factors involved, then the improvements may be smaller.
TIP: Check out my article here to learn how long it may take for you to see results on the carnivore diet. I go through in detail the different stages, and what you can expect at each stage.
Either way, my experience overall has been a positive one. And my brother has seen dramatic improvements by simply eliminating dairy from his diet. (He is not on the carnivore diet, and never has been).
While the carnivore diet might show potential benefits for those with eczema and other skin conditions, it is essential to note that the available evidence relies heavily on anecdotal accounts. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary changes, as individual needs and responses may vary.