Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition characterized by itchy, red, and inflamed skin. It often develops in early childhood and can persist into adulthood. While the exact causes of eczema are not fully understood, it is known to involve a complex interplay of genes, immune system dysfunction, and environmental triggers. One potential environmental trigger that some people suspect may exacerbate eczema flares is ranch dressing. But is there any truth to this claim? Let’s take a closer look.
What is ranch dressing?
Ranch dressing is a creamy, tangy salad dressing made from buttermilk, mayonnaise, and a blend of herbs and spices. It was originally developed in the 1950s at the Hidden Valley Ranch in California, which is where the name “ranch dressing” comes from. The classic homemade ranch contains ingredients like:
- Buttermilk
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Dill
- Parsley
- Garlic
- Onion
- Black pepper
Commercial ranch dressings may also contain additional stabilizers, preservatives, and flavorings. Ranch has become one of the most popular salad dressings in the United States, known for its creamy, cool, tangy taste that complements fresh vegetables and greens.
Common eczema triggers
Eczema flares can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
- Skin irritants – Things that directly irritate the skin, like rough fabrics, soaps, detergents, metals, fragrances, etc.
- Allergens – Substances that provoke an immune reaction in people who are allergic, like pet dander, pollen, mold, dust mites.
- Stress – Mental or emotional stress can trigger flares.
- Changes in temperature or humidity
- Food allergies or sensitivities – Common food triggers include eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish.
- Hormonal changes
- Infections – Bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections.
Identifying and avoiding your personal eczema triggers is an important part of managing the condition. Keeping a symptom and exposure log can help uncover patterns.
Are there ingredients in ranch dressing that could trigger eczema?
When considering whether ranch dressing could contribute to eczema flares, it’s important to look at the typical ingredients:
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a fermented dairy product that gives ranch its tangy flavor. Some people with milk allergies need to avoid buttermilk. However, milk allergy is distinct from lactose intolerance. Many lactose intolerant people can tolerate buttermilk without issue. There isn’t strong evidence showing that buttermilk triggers eczema specifically. Those with known milk protein allergies should exercise caution and monitor their symptoms if trying buttermilk-based products.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is an emulsion of egg yolks, vegetable oils, and vinegar. The eggs and oils in mayonnaise could be potential concerns:
- Egg allergy – Some people are allergic to egg whites and/or yolks. Egg allergy is one of the more common food-related eczema triggers in young children.
- Vegetable oils – The high polyunsaturated fat content of vegetable oils may contribute to inflammation, though more research is needed.
For those with egg or vegetable oil sensitivities, mayonnaise-based products like ranch dressing could plausibly worsen eczema.
Sour cream
Like buttermilk, sour cream is a cultured dairy product. The same concerns regarding milk allergy and lactose intolerance apply. There is no strong link between sour cream itself and eczema flares.
Herbs and spices
Ranch dressing includes lots of fresh and dried herbs like dill, parsley, chives, garlic, and black pepper. For the most part, these should not pose any issues for those with eczema. However, in rare cases, allergic reactions or skin irritation could occur in response to certain fresh herbs. So those with very severe allergies may want to exercise some caution, as with any new food. Overall, the amounts found in ranch are generally well-tolerated.
Onion and garlic
The allium family of plants, including onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives contain compounds called alkyl cysteine sulfoxides. When cut and crushed, these produce reactive sulfuric molecules that can irritate eyes and airways. Some people with eczema find that consuming large amounts of raw onion or garlic exacerbates rashes and itching. Cooking generally breaks down the irritating compounds. The small amounts found in ranch dressing are unlikely to pose much risk. However, those who know they are sensitive may want to monitor their individual response.
Preservatives
Commercial ranch dressings often contain preservatives like sodium benzoate, calcium disodium EDTA, and xanthan gum. Preservatives help extend shelf life and maintain stability. While uncommon, preservative hypersensitivity can occur in those with eczema and contribute to flares in a small subset. Natural, preservative-free options are available for those concerned.
Research on diet and eczema
While ranch dressing hasn’t been specifically studied, some research has looked at the link between overall diet and eczema:
- In an analysis of 20 studies, exclusion diets like eliminating eggs, milk, or other foods resulted in significant eczema improvement in 32% of children and 29% adults. This suggests eliminating trigger foods can help some patients manage symptoms.
- Multiple studies show those following traditional “Western” diets high in saturated fat, sugar, and processed foods are more likely to have eczema compared to those eating more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, and fiber.
- A 2005 study found children with eczema had higher omega-6 fatty acid intake from processed foods and lower omega-3 intake from fish/shellfish compared to kids without eczema.
- A 2016 study associated higher glycemic load diets (quickly spiking blood sugar) with increased risk of eczema in women.
Overall, the balance of evidence suggests that diet quality and avoiding individual trigger foods can play a meaningful role in eczema management for some people. Those with severe, uncontrolled eczema may benefit from working with an allergist or registered dietitian to identify problematic foods.
Tips for assessing ranch as an eczema trigger
Ranch dressing contains ingredients like eggs, dairy, and vegetable oils that could plausibly trigger eczema flares in those with food sensitivities. Here are some tips for assessing whether ranch specifically contributes to your eczema:
- Keep a food and symptom journal – Document what you eat each day and note any effects on eczema symptoms. Look for patterns around times when you consume ranch dressing.
- Read labels carefully – Check for any problematic ingredients based on your known food allergies/sensitivities. Opt for brands without additives like preservatives when possible.
- Try eliminating ranch – Avoid eating ranch dressing for 2-4 weeks and monitor your eczema symptoms. If flares improve, ranch could be a likely trigger.
- Reintroduce ranch – After the elimination period, try having ranch dressing again while continuing to monitor symptoms. Take note if eczema worsens again.
- See an allergist – For help identifying unknown food allergies or sensitivities through diagnostic testing.
- Consult a dietitian – For guidance navigating elimination diets or developing an eczema-friendly meal plan.
Making one change at a time and tracking the results can help reveal whether ranch dressing contributes to your individual eczema flares.
Ingredient substitutes
If you find ranch dressing does seem to worsen your eczema, try making it yourself with eczema-friendly ingredient swaps:
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| Buttermilk | Coconut milk or cashew cream |
| Sour cream | Full-fat coconut cream |
| Mayonnaise | Avocado oil-based mayo or tahini |
| Dairy milk | Nut milks like almond, cashew, or oat |
Substituting plant-based and nut-based alternatives for dairy ingredients can allow you to enjoy the ranch flavor without the potential eczema triggers.
Other creamy salad dressing options
If you need to avoid ranch dressing entirely, there are lots of other tasty salad topping options to try instead, including:
- Green goddess dressing – Avocado, herbs, lemon
- Tahini dressing – Sesame seed paste, lemon, garlic
- Caesar dressing – Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan
- Blue cheese dressing – Blue cheese, buttermilk, yogurt
- Thousand island – Mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, herbs
- Balsamic vinaigrette – Olive oil, balsamic vinegar
- Creamy Greek – Yogurt, cucumber, lemon, garlic
Branch out and find another creamy dressing suited to your taste and dietary needs. Adding nutritious ingredients like avocado, olive oil, herbs, and lemon can still give you flavor and creaminess.
The bottom line
In summary, ingredients commonly found in ranch dressing like eggs, dairy, and vegetable oils could potentially trigger eczema flares in some people with food allergies or sensitivities. Keeping an elimination diet and symptom journal can help you determine if ranch specifically worsens your eczema. Substituting plant-based ingredients and exploring other creamy dressing options can allow you to still enjoy salad toppings while avoiding possible triggers. Work with your doctor or dietitian if you need help managing dietary triggers.