Eczema is a common skin condition characterized by itchy, inflamed, and irritated skin. It is often triggered by certain foods, environmental factors, stress, and other potential irritants. Some people find that eating chicken seems to aggravate their eczema symptoms. But does chicken really worsen eczema? There are a few factors to consider.
What is eczema?
Eczema is an inflammatory condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry, and cracked. It is also called atopic dermatitis. Eczema is common in children but can occur at any age. The exact cause is unknown but it involves a combination of genetics, immune system dysfunction, and environmental triggers. People with eczema have sensitive skin that lacks the proper skin barrier function. This allows moisture to escape and irritants to penetrate the skin more easily, resulting in flare-ups.
Common eczema triggers
There are many possible triggers that can worsen eczema symptoms. These include:
- Irritants – Things that directly irritate the skin like harsh soaps, fragrances, rough fabrics
- Allergens – Substances that cause an allergic reaction such as pet dander, pollen, mold
- Stress and emotions
- Hormones
- Skin infections
- Hot baths or showers
- Harsh weather – cold, dry air; wind
- Certain foods
Foods commonly reported to trigger eczema flares include dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, nuts, seafood and, for some, chicken.
Can chicken worsen eczema?
For some individuals, chicken does seem to aggravate their eczema symptoms. There are a few reasons why chicken may trigger eczema flares:
Allergic reaction
Some people may have an allergy or sensitivity to chicken. Chicken contains proteins that can cause an allergic response and inflammation in the body. Even slight allergies can irritate sensitive eczema-prone skin.
High histamine
Chicken, especially the dark meat, is considered a high histamine food. Histamine is a chemical involved in the body’s inflammatory and allergic responses. People with eczema may have excess histamine levels already. Eating high histamine foods can contribute to itching, hives, and other worsened allergy symptoms.
Fatty acids
The fattier parts of chicken contain certain polyunsaturated fatty acids like arachidonic acid. These fatty acids are linked to promoting inflammation in the body. For people with inflammatory conditions like eczema, consuming high amounts of these fats may exacerbate symptoms.
Saturated fat
Chicken skin and fatty parts contain high amounts of saturated fats. Diets high in saturated fats are associated with increased systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. This type of diet-induced inflammation can theoretically worsen inflammatory skin conditions.
Evidence linking chicken to increased eczema flares
While chicken is anecdotally reported to aggravate eczema for some patients, there are a few scientific studies that help support this link:
Pediatric study in Japan
A 2018 study published in the journal Allergology International looked at food allergies and eczema symptoms in Japanese infants and children. Researchers found that the most common food allergens were chicken eggs, cow’s milk, wheat, and chicken. Children with chicken allergies were more likely to have persistent, moderate-severe eczema. The results indicate chicken proteins may be a significant food allergen that worsens eczema in certain children.
Skin prick testing study
A 2014 study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology tested children with moderate-severe eczema for skin reactions to different food allergens. Chicken egg white and chicken meat caused noticeable skin reactions, suggesting they were common allergens. Children who had positive skin prick tests to chicken were more likely to have uncontrolled eczema despite standard treatments.
Elimination diet studies
Some clinical trials have looked at using elimination diets to improve eczema symptoms. These diets remove suspected trigger foods to identify problematic allergens. In studies focused on children with eczema, eliminating chicken from the diet was found to significantly reduce eczema severity in a portion of participants. Reintroducing chicken back into the diet worsened symptoms again.
Other potential triggers in chicken
In addition to chicken meat itself, other aspects related to chicken may also trigger eczema:
Chicken antibodies
Antibodies and immunoglobulins found in chicken egg whites, meat, and feathers can potentially stimulate immune reactions. This may explain why contact with live chickens or their feathers can worsen eczema. The antibodies may interact with the immune system and cause inflammatory responses.
Processing and additives
Industrial farming, processing methods, and added chemicals like preservatives can affect the allergenicity of chicken. Mechanically separated chicken parts may contain higher histamine levels. Processing contaminants may also play a role. More research is needed on how modern chicken production influences food reactions.
Cross-reactivity
Chicken contains antigens that are similar to those found in some common environmental allergens like dust mites and cockroaches. This molecular similarity, known as cross-reactivity, means the immune system can get confused and trigger reactions to chicken after exposure to those other allergens.
Tips to reduce eczema flares from chicken
If eating chicken seems to worsen your eczema, here are some tips:
- Avoid eating chicken for 2-4 weeks to see if symptoms improve
- Slowly reintroduce chicken while monitoring your symptoms
- Keep a food diary to identify trends
- Eat fully cooked chicken and avoid raw/undercooked
- Remove the skin and visible fat
- Watch portion sizes. Eat smaller amounts spread out.
- Opt for leaner, white meat over fatty dark meat
- Don’t eat chicken every day. Limit to 2-3 times a week.
Alternative anti-inflammatory proteins
If you need to avoid chicken, make sure to still get enough protein from eczema-friendly sources like:
- Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines
- Eggs (if not allergenic)
- Legumes like lentils, beans, peas
- Nuts and seeds (if not allergenic)
- Lean red meat in moderation
- Tofu and tempeh
These provide beneficial fats and nutrients that help fight inflammation.
Conclusion
Chicken is one of the more common foods that can aggravate eczema, especially in children. This appears to be related to potential allergic responses and chicken’s effects on inflammatory pathways in the body. Eliminating chicken from your diet for a period of time can help determine if it is a trigger for you. People with eczema may need to avoid chicken or limit intake to see improvements in their symptoms. Focusing on getting plenty of nutritious anti-inflammatory proteins from other food sources is important as well. Working with an allergist, dermatologist, and registered dietitian can help navigate diet changes to control eczema flares.
