Did you know that the foods you eat may affect your seborrheic dermatitis? Although people experience seborrheic dermatitis in different ways, common symptoms like skin irritation and dandruff can be uncomfortable and annoying. While the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is still unknown, research has found that some dietary patterns may affect the skin disease.

Discover which foods may help and which may worsen seborrheic dermatitis symptoms. It’s important to always talk to your primary care provider or dermatologist before making any changes to the way you eat to avoid causing unintended nutritional deficiencies.

3 Foods To Eat With Seborrheic Dermatitis

Since seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition, a main goal of treatment is to address inflammation in the skin. Some foods have been shown to help manage inflammation levels in the body. Therefore, incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet may have an effect on your seborrheic dermatitis symptoms.

1. Fruits and Vegetables

Eating fruits and vegetables regularly is good for overall disease prevention, and it can also benefit your skin health. In a 2019 study, researchers found that eating more fruit was associated with less seborrheic dermatitis — participants who ate more fruit had a 25 percent lower risk of seborrheic dermatitis. The study also found that eating a Western diet, characterized by packaged and processed foods, was linked with more seborrheic dermatitis in females.

Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, protective substances that help fight free radicals, which can cause damage to the body. Free radicals are present in environmental factors like cigarette smoke, air pollution, sun ultraviolet (UV) rays, and some industrial chemicals.

There isn’t much research on a direct link between antioxidants and seborrheic dermatitis. One small study found that oxidative stress, a measurement of free radicals, was significantly higher in people with seborrheic dermatitis, as compared to people without the skin condition. Considering this, antioxidants may be helpful for reducing further harm to the skin.

Examples of antioxidants available in fruit and vegetables include:

• Beta-carotene — Pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, mango, and cantaloupe
• Lycopene — Tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, and red cabbage
• Vitamin A — Carrots, red bell peppers, kale, broccoli, and peaches
• Vitamin C — Oranges, lemon, lime, strawberry, and bell peppers
• Vitamin E — Avocado, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and beet greens

These fruits and vegetable categories share similar bright colors. One of the easiest ways to include them in your diet is to aim to have all the colors of the rainbow on your plate.

2. Healthy Oils

Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids (healthy fats) that are important for a number of processes in the body. One of their main functions is to decrease substances related to inflammation. A 2022 meta-analysis showed that omega-3 supplements improved markers of inflammation in adults with different health conditions. While there isn’t much research on the connection between omega-3s and seborrheic dermatitis specifically, it’s possible they could help reduce symptoms of inflammation when used alongside other recommended treatments.

Before trying any new supplements or a diet high in omega-3s, check in with your health care provider. When considering supplements, it’s important to remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate them as rigorously as medications, and some supplement makers add unexpected additives or contaminants to their products. Make sure to find a reputable brand.

Whole foods are the best way to get nutrients since they also contain vitamins and minerals that support overall health and well-being. Whole food sources of omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Fatty fish, including sardines, salmon, and mackerel
• Nuts and seeds, such as flaxseeds, walnuts, and pecans

3. Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer health benefits when consumed or incorporated into your diet. Another way to think of them is as “good” bacteria that are beneficial for your health. Studies haven’t been conclusive when it comes to probiotics treating seborrheic dermatitis, but topical forms (applied to the skin) have proven helpful with certain inflammatory skin diseases.

Probiotics also come from food sources like fermented foods, including:

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi

A wide variety of probiotics come in the form of pills, tablets, or drinks at your local health store. If you’re interested in trying one, check with your doctor first.

You can also improve your microbiome by eating more prebiotics. These are foods that feed the healthy “bugs” in your body. Examples include onions, asparagus, garlic, oats, artichoke, and chicory.

3 Foods To Avoid With Seborrheic Dermatitis

Everyone is different and may have varying reactions to different foods or ingredients. Here, we discuss some general foods that may trigger your seborrheic dermatitis symptoms.

Before cutting certain foods or food groups from your diet, consult your doctor or a dietitian. They can help ensure you’re getting the vitamins and nutrients you need. One of the best ways to explore whether something makes your condition worse is to keep a food and symptom journal to track what you eat and the state of your seborrheic dermatitis.

1. Added Sugar

Eating excess amounts of added sugars over time has been linked to increased levels of general inflammation in the body. Western diets, which include high amounts of processed foods with added sugars, fats such as trans fats, and refined carbs such as white flour, may be associated with worse seborrheic dermatitis symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), added sugars include sucrose, dextrose, table sugar, honey, syrups, and sugars from concentrated juice. Some of the most common foods and beverages that are high in added sugar include:

• Baked goods, such as cakes, cookies, brownies, sweet rolls, and pies
• Sauces, including barbeque sauce, ketchup, and sweet chili
• Ice cream and sweetened yogurt
• Candy
• Soft drinks

Check food labels to see if products have added sugars in them. Look at the ingredients list and limit those with products such as sweeteners, dextrose, juice concentrates, molasses, maltose, or honey. Or better yet, consider making your own food at home so you can control the amount of sugar added and reduce unexpected added sugars.

2. Yeast

Though there are no solid clinical studies on this topic, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that a yeast elimination diet may be helpful for people with challenging seborrheic dermatitis symptoms. A yeast elimination diet involves cutting out foods that contain yeast, and then observing how it affects your skin symptoms.

Some top sources of yeast include:

• Cheese
• Beer
• Wine
• Baked goods, such as breads, cakes, biscuits, and pretzels

3. Allergenic Foods

A 2014 review discovered that when people with atopic dermatitis (the most common form of eczema) stopped eating foods they were allergic or sensitive to, their symptoms — including chronic redness and skin irritation — improved. Since food allergies and sensitivities can cause an inflammatory response, limiting exposure to these foods may help improve your skin symptoms.

The most common allergenic foods include:

• Eggs
• Fish
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Shellfish
• Sesame
• Soy
• Tree nuts
• Wheat

If you think you may have a food sensitivity or allergy, contact your doctor or a dietitian to see if allergy testing or an elimination diet may be right for you.

Seborrheic Dermatitis Diet: Key Takeaways

There’s no one diet that will definitely improve your seborrheic dermatitis symptoms. If you’re concerned that your diet may be affecting your seborrheic dermatitis, the most important thing to do is to talk with your dermatologist or primary care provider. If you’re interested in changing your diet, consider consulting a dietitian.

Remember that seborrheic dermatitis or any condition may be improved with better physical and mental health. A healthy lifestyle includes focusing on wholesome foods and minimizing the processed ones, managing stress, and getting regular, good-quality sleep.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySebdermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, more than 5,100 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with seborrheic dermatitis.

Are you living with seborrheic dermatitis or know someone who is? Are you interested to share your experience or learn more about how diet may impact your symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.