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Eczema /

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Triggers /

Sulfites (dried fruit)

Sulfites (dried fruit)

Sweeteners & Additives

Sweeteners & Additives

Sweeteners & Additives

Sulfites & Eczema

Named 'Allergen of the Year 2024' — likely underdiagnosed because not included in standard screening panels. Dried fruits (especially bright orange apricots) are the highest source. Unsulfured/organic versions eliminate the issue entirely.

🎯 Symphony Trigger Score
🎯 Symphony Trigger Score

🎯 Symphony Trigger Score

3/5

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Summary

Summary

Summary

Sulfites are preservatives (appearing on labels as sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, or sodium metabisulfite) that can trigger eczema through direct activation of immune cells in the skin. They were named Contact Dermatitis Allergen of the Year 2024 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

About 3–10% of people with asthma are sulfite-sensitive, and patch test data suggest 2.7–3.3% of people tested for skin allergies react to sulfites. Sulfites are likely underdiagnosed because they are not included in most standard allergy screening panels. Dried fruits are the highest dietary source — the bright orange colour of commercially dried apricots comes from sulfite treatment; unsulfured organic versions are dark brown and sulfite-free. Choosing unsulfured dried fruit completely eliminates this exposure.

Sulfites are preservatives (appearing on labels as sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, or sodium metabisulfite) that can trigger eczema through direct activation of immune cells in the skin. They were named Contact Dermatitis Allergen of the Year 2024 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

About 3–10% of people with asthma are sulfite-sensitive, and patch test data suggest 2.7–3.3% of people tested for skin allergies react to sulfites. Sulfites are likely underdiagnosed because they are not included in most standard allergy screening panels. Dried fruits are the highest dietary source — the bright orange colour of commercially dried apricots comes from sulfite treatment; unsulfured organic versions are dark brown and sulfite-free. Choosing unsulfured dried fruit completely eliminates this exposure.

Sulfites are preservatives (appearing on labels as sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, or sodium metabisulfite) that can trigger eczema through direct activation of immune cells in the skin. They were named Contact Dermatitis Allergen of the Year 2024 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

About 3–10% of people with asthma are sulfite-sensitive, and patch test data suggest 2.7–3.3% of people tested for skin allergies react to sulfites. Sulfites are likely underdiagnosed because they are not included in most standard allergy screening panels. Dried fruits are the highest dietary source — the bright orange colour of commercially dried apricots comes from sulfite treatment; unsulfured organic versions are dark brown and sulfite-free. Choosing unsulfured dried fruit completely eliminates this exposure.

The Details - Sulfites & Eczema

The Details - Sulfites & Eczema

The Details - Sulfites & Eczema

Reaction Timeline

Immediate (minutes to 2 hours), Short delay (2–12 hours)

Immediate (minutes to 2 hours), Short delay (2–12 hours)

SO₂-mediated bronchospasm is immediate. Skin reactions (contact dermatitis, eczema flares) range from hours to days. Sulfite sensitivity can manifest as both respiratory and dermatologic symptoms.

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How Much Is Needed To React?

Dose-dependent

Dose-dependent

Dose-dependent

Dried apricots, raisins, and other light-colored dried fruits have the highest sulfite levels (>100 ppm). Dark dried fruits need less sulfite. Organic dried fruits are typically sulfite-free but brown more quickly. Wine is a significant sulfite source. Many people with mild sensitivity tolerate low-sulfite foods but flare at high-sulfite ones.

Does Preparation Matter?

Yes — preparation significantly changes reactivity

Yes — preparation significantly changes reactivity

Yes — preparation significantly changes reactivity

Soaking dried fruit in water and discarding the water reduces sulfite content. Organic and unsulfured dried fruits avoid the issue entirely (look for "no sulfites added" labels). Cooking does not reliably eliminate sulfites. Wine sulfites cannot be removed by decanting. [23]

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Also Watch Out For...

  1. White wine — often higher sulfite than red wine [23]

  2. Beer — may contain sulfites

  3. Aspirin/NSAIDs — some sulfite-sensitive individuals also react to aspirin (shared mechanism via cyclooxygenase pathway)

  4. Benzoates — often co-sensitivity in food additive intolerance

What To Use Instead

  1. Organic unsulfured dried fruit (widely available — Trader Joe's, Whole Foods)

  2. Fresh fruit (instead of dried)

  3. Freeze-dried fruit (typically no sulfites added)

  4. Homemade dried fruit (dehydrator, no additives needed)

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Hidden Sources

  1. Dried apricots, raisins, cranberries (sulfite-preserved)

  2. Wine (especially white wine, up to 350 mg/L)

  3. Bottled lemon and lime juice (sulfite-preserved)

  4. Shrimp (sulfites used for bleaching/preservation)

  5. Maraschino cherries

  6. Pickled foods (some preserved with sulfites)

  7. Medications — bronchodilator solutions, injectable epinephrine

  8. French fries (some restaurants use sulfites to prevent browning)

  9. Molasses and corn syrup

  10. Deli meats (some contain sulfites)

  11. Grape juice

  12. Guacamole (restaurant — sulfites prevent browning)

Symphony helps you know if Sulfites (dried fruit) is your why.

Symphony helps you know if Sulfites (dried fruit) is your why.

Symphony connects the dots between your skin condition and thousands of potential triggers, so you get a personalized plan to achieve lasting change.

Symphony connects the dots between your skin condition and thousands of potential triggers, so you get a personalized plan to achieve lasting change.

Symptom Improvement

Symptom Improvement

Symptom Improvement

>34%

>34%

>34%

Find a trigger within 7 days

Find a trigger within 7 days

Find a trigger within 7 days

92%

92%

92%

Start Free Assessment

Start Free Assessment

Start Free Assessment

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Food triggers are highly individual — a food appearing in this database does not mean it will cause your eczema to flare. The information presented is drawn from published clinical research and patient community reports, but it is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect a food allergy or sensitivity, consult a dermatologist or allergist. The gold standard for identifying food triggers remains a supervised elimination diet with oral food challenges. Symphony is a tracking tool, not a diagnostic or medical device.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Food triggers are highly individual — a food appearing in this database does not mean it will cause your eczema to flare. The information presented is drawn from published clinical research and patient community reports, but it is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect a food allergy or sensitivity, consult a dermatologist or allergist. The gold standard for identifying food triggers remains a supervised elimination diet with oral food challenges. Symphony is a tracking tool, not a diagnostic or medical device.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Food triggers are highly individual — a food appearing in this database does not mean it will cause your eczema to flare. The information presented is drawn from published clinical research and patient community reports, but it is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect a food allergy or sensitivity, consult a dermatologist or allergist. The gold standard for identifying food triggers remains a supervised elimination diet with oral food challenges. Symphony is a tracking tool, not a diagnostic or medical device.