Skin Friend Founder on 9 News—Is Eczema Linked To Histamine?

Video: Nine News and Karen Fischer interview at Skin Friend HQ, June 11th, 2025.

A new study from Bond University—as seen on 9 News Australia—has uncovered evidence that naturally occurring food chemicals may be linked to eczema (atopic dermatitis/AD) in a significant portion of the AD population. 

Led by nutritionist and Skin Friend founder Karen Fischer, this systematic review and meta-analysis found that one week on a low histamine diet significantly improved eczema symptoms in 41% of people with eczema. 

This blog covers the new research • foods to avoid • how to join the clinical trial • and histamine-free skincare options.

More research is needed for conclusive evidence, therefore, Karen and her team are currently working on a randomised controlled trial, which may help redefine eczema care in the years to come.  

Karen, why investigate the link between certain foods and eczema flare-ups?

"For two decades, I’ve been working with eczema patients who improved on a low-histamine and low-salicylate diet, now known as The Eczema Detox (FID Program). These patients often had chronic eczema that didn’t respond to conventional treatments—but their skin and itch significantly improved after eliminating food chemicals such as histamine, amines, and salicylates.

We commonly saw flare-ups triggered by everyday foods like avocado, tomato, and fermented products such as soy sauce, kombucha, yoghurt, and sauerkraut. These are naturally high in histamine or other amines—compounds that can worsen the itch and inflammation in some people with eczema-prone skin.

Despite decades of anecdotal evidence and success with elimination diets, no high-quality systematic review had been conducted until now. This research was needed to evaluate the strength of the evidence and support new directions in non-drug eczema treatments. It's still early days, but promising."

Key Findings from the New Eczema Research:

• 31% of people with eczema may have histamine intolerance
• 53% may be sensitive to salicylates—chemicals found in fruits, sweet potato, avocado, to name a few
  
• 41% improved after following a low-histamine diet

Are Healthy Foods Worsening Your Eczema?

“Many people don’t realise that even a healthy diet can contribute to eczema flares,” says Karen Fischer.

While people know to avoid processed foods, sugar, and alcohol, they often unknowingly consume probiotics and fermented foods—like sauerkraut, yoghurt, kombucha, and kefir—which are high in histamines.

Image: Avocado and tomato are rich sources of histamine; avocado also contains considerable amounts of salicylates. 

Common high-histamine foods include:

• Fermented products (sauerkraut, kombucha)
• Aged cheese, deli meats and smoked or canned fish
• Spinach, tomato, eggplant, and vinegars

Image: Histamine rich foods include vinegar, pickled and fermented foods such as sauerkraut and soy sauce. 

Salicylates are found in:

• Sweet potato, dates, kiwi fruit
• Tomato, herbs, cocoa and more
• Baby teething gels 

Baby Teething Gels & Eczema: What Parents Should Know

Some baby teething gels contain salicylate medications—like choline salicylate—which may be harmful to babies, especially if they have eczema. While many companies are changing their formulas due to safety concerns, it’s still important to check the label and avoid this ingredient.

Karen says:

“I once worked with a mother whose baby had severe eczema. One day she rang me in tears—her baby’s eczema had started to bleed after using a teething gel (in her mouth, not on the eczema). We later discovered it contained salicylates. Switching to chilled teething rings made a big difference—calmer eczema without weeping and bleeding flare-ups.”

Salicylate intolerance may be common in babies under two, likely because their liver isn’t fully mature. Interestingly, this is also when eczema often starts to improve—suggesting a possible link between liver development, salicylate metabolism, and eczema symptoms.

Images: The lead researcher and Skin Friend founder, Karen Fischer, experienced eczema flares and says diet and skincare helped her recovery. 

Should You Try a Low-Histamine Diet If You Have Eczema?

Restrictive diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies if not properly planned, so it’s essential to follow a structured, evidence-based approach—such as The Eczema Detox (FID Program)—or work with a qualified health practitioner who understands histamine intolerance.

In many cases, it’s not just histamine causing problems. People with eczema often have multiple food intolerances and food allergies, so identifying all relevant dietary triggers is key to long-term skin relief. The FID Program can help people identify food triggers. 

“The goal isn’t to avoid foods forever,” explains Fischer, “but to identify your unique triggers, temporarily limit them while taking nutrients to fill nutritional gaps, then reintroduce these foods in a methodical way as your skin improves.”

Watch The Nine News Report Part 2:

Why Do Histamines, Amines & Salicylates Trigger Eczema?

These food compounds have known pharmacological effects in the body. The mechanism of actions are not well understood and are still being explored. So, Karen Fischer, Dr. Hayley O'Neill and Dr Mark Jones are planning a randomised controlled trial (RCT) at Bond University to further investigate the diet–skin connection, inflammatory pathways, and underlying gut health in adults with eczema.

What Skincare and Supplement Ingredients Should You Avoid If You Have Histamine Intolerance?

Some probiotic strains—such as Lactobacillus, including rhamnosus GG (LGG), commonly found in eczema-targeted probiotics—can increase histamine levels in your gut, potentially triggering reactions in people with histamine intolerance. So people with eczema should be cautious when using probiotics. 

Also avoid high doses of B vitamins—this means steering clear of most B complex supplements—as excessive intake may trigger histamine reactions. 

If you have histamine intolerance, avoid skin care products containing probiotics, histamine dihydrochloride (found in some in medicated creams), fragrance (parfum), parabens, formaldehyde-releasing ingredients such as urea and DMDM Hydantoin, colourants, essential oils (like lavender or tea tree), benzoates, and food-based allergens like wheat, dairy, and nuts (including almond oil) due to risk of skin sensitisation. 

Always check the ingredients list—don’t rely on front-of-pack claims to spot potential triggers.

Are There Histamine-Free Eczema Creams?

Yes, such as Eczema Friend—seen on 9 News. Click here to learn more.

Image: Nutritionist Karen Fischer's histamine-free rash cream Eczema Friend featured on the 9 News report.

Join the Eczema Clinical Trial

Karen Fischer and the Bond University research team are now recruiting participants for a new clinical trial focused on dietary triggers and eczema relief.

Adults with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) who live in or near Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, or Byron Bay, may be eligible. Contact Bond University to apply.

If you do not live nearby you can follow Karen's Eczema Detox Clear Skin Program instead. 

Click here for Karen’s eczema products or scroll down to shop the story.