Many people living with eczema are eager to find relief from itchy, irritated skin — and some turn to special diets in hopes of seeing improvement. The carnivore diet has gained attention for its bold claims about health and inflammation. But can this all-meat approach help manage eczema symptoms and flare-ups, or is it just another trend without scientific backing?

In this article, we’ll explore what the carnivore diet involves, what the latest research says, and what people with eczema should consider before making any dietary changes.

What Is the Carnivore Diet?

Generally speaking, the carnivore diet includes eating only products from animals. This includes meat, fish, chicken, seafood, and certain dairy products. People following this diet typically avoid all plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

While there are several variations of the carnivore diet, they all share the same core idea: Eating only animal products is believed by some to promote better health. Supporters claim it can help with weight loss, manage blood sugar, and even improve certain chronic health conditions. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

The Carnivore Diet and Carbs

The carnivore diet avoids carbohydrates with the belief that a high-carb diet leads to chronic (ongoing) disease. The carnivore diet is stricter than the ketogenic diet (keto diet), which limits carbs but doesn’t completely cut them out.

Proponents of the carnivore diet also emphasize that eliminating carbohydrates can help with weight loss. While eliminating carbs might cause you to lose weight, carbs are the human body’s preferred energy source, so going down to zero carbs can be risky.

You may benefit from consuming less white sugar and flour, but following a strictly low-carb or no-carb diet isn’t generally recommended. Plant-based foods are a good source of fiber, which is crucial for digestive and heart health. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in particular provide not only fiber but also an array of nutrients and plant compounds that offer health benefits.

The Carnivore Diet and Eczema

Some people are curious if following an all-meat eating plan, like the carnivore diet, could help improve or even cure eczema. Currently, there’s no cure for eczema, and no single diet has been proven to reliably reduce its symptoms.

People with eczema are more likely to develop food allergies or sensitivities, which can sometimes trigger flares. Although research on dietary changes for this skin condition is limited, some individuals have found that avoiding certain allergens or foods seems to help manage their symptoms. Triggers can be different for everyone, and in rare cases, some people have reported meat as one of their eczema triggers.

You shouldn’t cut out any foods from your diet without talking to your doctor first, as this might increase your risk of developing nutrient deficiencies. Your healthcare provider can help you find an approach that supports your overall well-being and eczema management.

Can Eating Meat Help Eczema?

There’s no strong scientific evidence that eating more meat — or eating only meat — directly helps manage eczema symptoms. While protein from animal sources can be an important part of a balanced diet, no studies have shown that increasing meat intake alone improves eczema or reduces flares. In fact, for some people, certain types of meat could trigger symptoms.

How Can the Carnivore Diet Impact Your Health?

Apart from recognizing the potential inaccuracy of the health claims associated with the carnivore diet, keep in mind how eating a carnivorous diet could have an impact on your health in other ways.

The Carnivore Diet and Heart Disease

Some studies indicate that people with eczema may face a higher risk of heart disease compared with the general population. The carnivore diet could increase this risk since an all-meat diet can lead to high cholesterol, raising the likelihood of heart problems. Eating large amounts of sodium from processed meats can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

The Carnivore Diet and Other Health Concerns

Cutting out all grains, legumes, fruits, and veggies can create health issues besides heart disease. Other potential side effects associated with a carnivore diet include:

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Constipation from inadequate fiber intake
• Kidney disease related to high sodium from eating a lot of processed meats
• Colorectal cancer associated with high meat consumption
• Electrolyte imbalances causing dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and weakness

What Is the Best Diet for Eczema?

In general, a diet focused on fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, lean proteins, and healthy fats is recommended for people with eczema or heart disease, as well as for general wellness. One example of this type of diet is the Mediterranean diet, which also focuses on healthy fats from fish and olive oil, and includes low-fat dairy products and nuts and seeds. This type of diet is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body, which may help improve eczema flare-ups and symptoms.

“I went to eating an anti-inflammatory diet, and my eczema has gotten a lot better,” one MyEczemaTeam member wrote. A Mediterranean diet limits added sugars, processed foods, and saturated and trans fats. Eating less of these types of foods may also help with eczema symptoms.

People with eczema may also find they benefit from limiting other foods and beverages that seem to trigger their particular symptoms. Common diet-related triggers include alcohol, dairy, sugar, gluten, citrus, eggs, and tomatoes.

Talk to Your Doctor

Over time, you may discover that eating or avoiding certain foods helps you control your eczema symptoms. However, any diet that is too restrictive might cause health problems. It’s important to have enough balance in your diet to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.

For specific medical advice about dietary changes, talk with your dermatology provider or another health professional, like a dietitian. Never adopt an extreme plan or an elimination diet without first consulting a medical provider, who can help you figure out the best and worst foods for you.

Find Your Team

On MyEczemaTeam, the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

How does your diet affect your eczema symptoms? Have you cut out or added any foods? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.