20 Anti-Inflammatory Foods That Can Help With Inflammation
A few years ago I was diagnosed with a condition called Dermatographia. When people who have dermatographia lightly scratch their skin, the scratches redden into a raised welts similar to hives.
The cause of dermatographia is still unknown, but studies indicate it can be triggered by infections, stress or medications. Linked to cortisol and histamine in the body.
In my case, it was triggered by a weakened auto-immune that was compromised by chronic stress after a significantly stressful event in my life in 2015.
You can read my first post HERE when I found out I had this skin condition.
You see, chronic stress isn’t good for anyone. It ages the immune system faster and also decreases heart health. Long-term stress leads to chronic inflammation which increases the symptoms of dermatographia.
For several years I lived with chronic hives and discomfort. I didn’t fully understand my dermatographia episodes and it was all very frustrating. I took allergy medicine 3-4 times a day. It helped with my dermatographia symptoms but it started causing issues with weight gain, dry eye, etc.
Because this condition is not well studied, I had to do a lot of research on my own. That’s when I learned how certain foods can help to decrease inflammation in the body. And that eventually, over time, could possibly help me feel better and eliminate all the allergy meds I was taking.
Here are 20 Anti-Inflammatory Foods that I added to my diet to help with inflammation:
- Ginger
- Green Tea
- Blueberries
- Raw Oats
- Dark Chocolate
- Wild Salmon
- Turmeric
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Black Beans
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Tomatoes
- Pineapple
- Spinach
- Whole Grains
- Nuts
- Tart Cherries
- Kelp
- Fermented Foods
- Papaya
Foods to avoid that cause inflammation:
- Bagels, Muffins, and pasta
- French Fries and other processed foods
- Blackened, BBQ Foods
- Sugar- Cookies, brownies, etc.
- Dairy Products
- Caffeine
I am happy to report that in the last few months, my chronic hives have gotten a whole lot better. I believe it’s from adding more anti-inflammatory foods to my diet and also working out more to help keep my stress levels down. Getting myself healthy from the inside out with foods and exercise has helped me tremendously.
I really hope this post can help someone else that is living with chronic hives/inflammation. If you add these anti-inflammatory foods to your diet, let me know how it goes and if it helps with your inflammation.
XO,
Photos by: Banavenue Photography
Thanks a lot for sharing this . I’ve struggled with Dermatographia for a long time Plus I’m African and the hot climatic condintion has only worsened my symptoms.
I’ll put into consideration, these suggestions. Thank you!
Hi Olamide.I am so very sorry you are experiencing this too but just know you are not alone and so many people are experiencing the same things as you. It takes time but you will get better at learning how to manage this condition. Hang in there and please stay strong.
I have been struggling with new and possibly chronic (started off and on back in late March) stress hives and had a feeling that adding more anti-inflammatory foods would help calm outbreaks, or put it in remission, hopefully. I am so glad I came across your site. I started also taking Quercetin supplements as I read that was a natural anti-inflammatory. Too soon to tell yet, but are there any supplements you take that you recommend trying?
Hi Alyne, I do drink teas that are anti-inflammatory and also hemp/cbd products that help calm the body.
I have recently developed this condition after a partial hysterectomy. It’s so hard, I feel so much better after my surgery, but now this. I too am gaining weight from this too and that makes me so upset as I try so hard to loose. Thank you for the information.
Hi Crystal, I am so sorry this is happening to you too. I know how frustrating it can be (as I’m sitting at my desk scratching my hands and feet with the start of a flare-up 🙁 I have been very stressed lately and have been having more frequent flare-ups.
Just know, that it does get better once you start understanding what causes your body to respond that way. It just takes time and it’s a lot of trial and error. Hang in there!
I was just diagnosed with this same thing this week and there is hardly any information out there. How long do the episodes/condition usually last? I am a week in taking allergy meds and I am getting some relief but the symptoms are still here. Any additional info or websites are appreciated! Thanks so much.
HI Demiah, the flare-ups are different from person to person but with all the people I have met online, I feel most experienced something similar to me. That the flare-ups were really bad at first but calmed down over time. Antihistamines worked for me (I was taking morning and night) but after doing that long-term I started developing other issues like dry eye etc. If you can, I would suggest a nutritionist to help you with creating a diet that is calming for your body’s system. Because this is something that starts internally and shows up on your skin as a result. Please be patient with yourself as you navigate through the beginning of all this. I am here to tell you it does get better but it does take some time and some trial and error. best,
Alley
I have suffered with this skin condition since developing Covid. I take the antihistamine tablets but they seem to do nothing . I am not sleeping due to the itching so hence I am tired in work. When I exercise it seems worse due me sweating and being hot. I am out of my mind with it. Can anyone share any diet plans they find useful.
Diane
Hi Diane, I am so sorry you are going through this too. I found an anti-inflammatory diet really helped with controlling the flare-ups and their severity. Staying away from sugar and caffeine helped me a lot.