Researchers studied 124 people with moderate-to-severe eczema to see if eating a Mediterranean diet and exercising could help reduce their symptoms. The Mediterranean diet focuses on foods like olive oil, fish, vegetables, and whole grains. The study found that people who followed this diet more closely and were more physically active had less severe eczema symptoms, including less itching. While the results are promising, the study shows that most people with eczema aren’t following this diet or exercising enough. This suggests that making these lifestyle changes could be a helpful addition to other eczema treatments.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating a Mediterranean diet and exercising regularly could help reduce how severe eczema symptoms are in people who have the condition
  • Who participated: 124 adults with moderate-to-severe eczema (a chronic skin condition that causes itching and inflammation)
  • Key finding: People who followed the Mediterranean diet more closely had less severe eczema, and those who exercised more also had milder symptoms. People who sat around a lot had worse eczema.
  • What it means for you: If you have eczema, eating more Mediterranean-style foods and being more active might help reduce your symptoms. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that these changes will definitely help you. Talk to your doctor before making major diet or exercise changes, especially if you have severe eczema.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a group of people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. The 124 people with eczema answered questions about what they ate, how much they exercised, and their eczema symptoms. Researchers used two standard questionnaires: one to measure how closely people followed a Mediterranean diet and another to track their physical activity levels. They also measured eczema severity using two different scoring systems that doctors use to evaluate how bad someone’s eczema is.

The Mediterranean diet questionnaire asked about foods like olive oil, fish, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. The physical activity questionnaire asked about different types of movement, from everyday activities to structured exercise. The eczema severity measurements included both doctor assessments and patient reports of itching and skin condition.

Cross-sectional studies are useful for finding connections between lifestyle factors and health conditions, which can help guide future research. This approach allowed researchers to quickly gather information from many people with eczema and identify patterns. Understanding whether diet and exercise might help eczema is important because these are things people can control, unlike genetic factors that influence eczema.

This study has some important limitations to consider. It only looked at people at one moment in time, so we can’t be sure whether the diet and exercise caused the improvement or if people with milder eczema were simply more likely to follow these healthy habits. The study was relatively small with 124 participants, which means results might not apply to everyone. The researchers didn’t mention how they selected participants or whether the groups were similar in other ways that might affect results. These factors mean the findings are interesting but not definitive proof.

What the Results Show

The study found that people with eczema who followed the Mediterranean diet more closely had significantly less severe eczema symptoms. The connection was strong enough that researchers were confident it wasn’t just by chance. People who were more physically active also had less severe eczema compared to those who were sedentary (sitting most of the time).

Interestingly, the study showed that most people with eczema in this group weren’t following the Mediterranean diet very well and weren’t exercising enough. On average, their diet adherence was moderate, and their activity levels were lower than recommended. This suggests there’s room for improvement in both areas.

The study also looked at itching specifically, which is one of the most bothersome symptoms of eczema. People who followed the Mediterranean diet more closely reported less itching. Similarly, those who were more active had less itching than those who were sedentary.

The research found that sedentary behavior (sitting around without moving much) was linked to worse eczema symptoms. This suggests that simply reducing sitting time might help, even if people don’t do structured exercise. The study also noted that the combination of following the Mediterranean diet and being physically active appeared to offer additional benefits beyond either approach alone, though the study didn’t provide detailed numbers on this combined effect.

This research adds to growing evidence that lifestyle factors influence eczema severity. Previous studies have suggested that diet and exercise can affect inflammation in the body, which is a key part of eczema. However, most research on eczema has focused on medications and skin care rather than lifestyle changes. This study is one of the first to specifically look at the Mediterranean diet and eczema together, making it a relatively new contribution to the field.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only looked at people at one point in time, so we can’t prove that the diet and exercise caused the improvement—it’s possible that people with milder eczema were simply more motivated to eat well and exercise. Second, the study was relatively small with only 124 people, so results might not apply to everyone with eczema. Third, the researchers didn’t provide details about how participants were selected or whether they were similar in other important ways. Fourth, the study relied on people reporting their own diet and exercise habits, which can be inaccurate. Finally, the study didn’t include a control group or follow people over time, which would provide stronger evidence.

The Bottom Line

If you have eczema, consider gradually increasing your physical activity and incorporating more Mediterranean diet foods into your meals. This might include eating more fish, olive oil, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains while reducing processed foods. However, these changes should be additions to, not replacements for, your current eczema treatment plan. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist before making significant changes, especially if you have severe eczema. The evidence suggests these changes may help, but they’re not a guaranteed cure.

People with eczema who are looking for additional ways to manage their symptoms should pay attention to this research. It may be especially relevant for those with moderate-to-severe eczema. However, people with mild eczema that’s well-controlled with current treatments may not need to make changes. Anyone with severe eczema should continue working with their dermatologist and not rely solely on diet and exercise changes. People with other health conditions should check with their doctor before making major diet or exercise changes.

If you make these lifestyle changes, you shouldn’t expect immediate results. Most people would need to follow the Mediterranean diet and exercise regularly for several weeks to months before noticing improvements in eczema symptoms. Some people might see changes sooner, while others might take longer. It’s important to be patient and consistent with these changes while continuing your regular eczema treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily Mediterranean diet adherence by logging servings of key foods (olive oil, fish, vegetables, legumes, whole grains) and weekly physical activity minutes. Also track eczema severity using a simple 1-10 itching scale and photos of affected areas to monitor changes over 8-12 weeks.
  • Start by adding one Mediterranean diet element per week (such as cooking with olive oil, adding fish to meals, or eating more vegetables) while gradually increasing daily movement by 10-15 minutes. Use the app to set reminders for meal planning and activity breaks, and celebrate small wins to build momentum.
  • Create a weekly dashboard showing Mediterranean diet score, exercise minutes, and eczema severity trends. Review monthly to identify which dietary changes and activity levels correlate with your best skin weeks. Adjust your approach based on your personal patterns rather than general recommendations.

This research shows a connection between Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity, and eczema severity, but it does not prove that these lifestyle changes will cure or significantly improve eczema in all people. This study was small and looked at people at only one point in time. Always consult with a dermatologist or healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially if you have severe eczema or are taking medications. Do not stop or reduce any prescribed eczema treatments based on this information. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.