Does caffeine cause eczema?

If you suffer from eczema, you may have heard rumors that your morning cup of Joe could be making your skin condition worse. Being a caffeine addict myself, I decided to dive deep into the topic and uncover whether there is any truth to this claim.

What is Eczema?

Before we delve into the relationship between caffeine and eczema, let’s first discuss what eczema actually is.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition characterized by dryness, itching, redness and flakiness. It can affect people of all ages but is particularly common in infants and young children [1]. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who has eczema on their face or hands – trust me; I feel your pain.

The Relationship Between Caffeine & Eczema

So does drinking coffee (or other caffeinated beverages) exacerbate eczema symptoms? There isn’t a definitive answer since research on this issue has produced mixed results [2]. However, some studies suggest that caffeine might stimulate mast cells in the body which produce histamine leading to itches and rashes- typical symptoms of an allergic reaction such as hives[3].

On the other hand, some small scale studies have found no correlation between caffeine intake and severity or recurrence rates for individuals suffering from atopic dermatitis/eczzma[4][5].

Another theory put forward suggests more elevated risk with soft drinks containing large amounts of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)and less likely chance for those coffee-drinking pals out there[6].

Without giving too much thought about where/how HFSC gets used frequently- think sodas! The primary ingredient will get touted with acidity throughout our stomachs after consumption changing pH levels around getting absorbed without even being noticed – not ideal circumstances for hydration levels in our bodies.

Factors That Affect Eczema

While caffeine may or may not impact eczema symptoms, several other aspects can contribute to the condition’s severity. Check out some of these factors below:

Genetics & Family History

Eczema is often inherited and is frequently linked with asthma and hay fever [7]. If your parents have a history of skin diseases like psoriasis, allergies or especially eczema, there’s a greater chance for you to acquire it too.

Stress Levels

Stress has been known to worsen the frequency/severity of Atopic Dermatitis as well as increase allergic responses[8]. So you might want to think twice before investing another dime into those stress balls.

Diet

Certain foods exacerbate atopic dermatitis including eggs, dairy products peanuts etc[9].

Conclusion

Although there are mixed opinions and small-scale studies about whether caffeine could cause eczema, we still cannot draw any definitive conclusions. But drinking moderate amounts likely does not get considered one-armed-bandit cruelty ripping off people by worsening their existing successful lives. Enjoying coffee related beverages doesn’t mean completely abstaining from them all together unless your doctor suggests otherwise. Either way, if you’re struggling with managing Eczema atopica holistically; better consulting a specialist or physician instead.

Whatever you are drinking right now – I hope this article hasn’t discouraged from having that second cup. Sometimes we do need that little bit extra boost!

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