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Do you constantly battle itchy, inflamed skin? Eczema, a common inflammatory skin condition, might be the culprit. Affecting millions globally, eczema presents a range of uncomfortable symptoms like dryness, redness, and intense itching. While a cure remains elusive, there are ways to manage it and find relief.
This article looks at the potential of supplements for eczema symptoms. We’ll explore some popular options like fish oil and vitamin D, examining their potential benefits and the current state of research surrounding them. It’s important to remember, however, that supplements aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is the name of a group of chronic inflammatory skin conditions affecting about 3 in 10 of the United States. Most people with eczema may notice or experience intense itching, red or brownish patches, dry, scaly, or cracked skin, rashes that ooze fluid or bleed when scratched, and thickening and hardening skin. These symptoms can flare up in different areas of the body.
While the exact cause of eczema is not completely known, certain internal and external factors can trigger an eczema flare-up. Common triggers include genetics, fluctuations in hormone levels, stress, extreme temperatures, and food allergies.
There is no specific cure for eczema. However, certain supplements can reduce the impact of the symptoms and bring relief depending on the type of eczema.
What Are the Types of Eczema?
There are different types of eczema, and they come with various symptoms. The most common type is atopic dermatitis, but there are other different types of eczema, including:
Atopic Dermatitis
Known as the most common type of eczema, it often starts in childhood. It is majorly caused by genetics – a family history of atopic dermatitis, resulting in dry, inflamed, itchy skin, which appears with a red rash, especially on your face, hands, feet, and inner elbows. You may notice symptoms like itching, rashes, and pain.
Contact Dermatitis
This skin condition usually occurs when your skin comes in contact with a substance or allergen that the immune system recognizes as foreign. As a result, your skin has an allergic reaction or irritation. It has similar symptoms to other types of eczema. However, it is not hereditary or linked to hay fever, asthma, and other allergic conditions.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Characterized by small, itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the hands and feet, this skin condition is more common in women than men, especially those around puberty. The actual cause is unknown, but stress, nickel, laundry detergent, hay fever, humid weather, and sweaty palms are common triggers.
Neurodermatitis
This type of eczema occurs due to intensely itchy patches on the head, back of the neck, forearms, wrists, and lower legs. Other types of eczema, such as atopic, contact dermatitis or dry skin, can trigger it. Mental health issues like anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) also trigger it.
Nummular Eczema
You are more likely to get nummular eczema if someone in your family has atopic dermatitis, allergies, or asthma. It presents as red, round, itchy, scaly patches on the skin. This circular, coin-shaped eczema is caused by a break in the skin after skin injuries such as burns or insect bites.
Who Does Eczema Affect?
Eczema can affect anyone of any age or gender but is more common in infants and children. Some children outgrow atopic dermatitis as they approach their teenage years. However, some types of eczema affect teens and adults.
Eczema also affects any race. It is prevalent in 11% of Whites, 10% of Black or African Americans, 13% of Asians, and 13% of Native Americans.
Can Supplements Help With Eczema?
Supplements may not be ideally considered a cure for eczema. However, some studies show that incorporating certain supplements into your routine can help you manage symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
Nevertheless, the research thus far is weak and inconsistent. Speaking to a healthcare professional before using any new supplement is essential.
What Supplements Are Good for Eczema?
Different treatment options help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Research on the effectiveness of supplements for eczema is ongoing and has mixed results.
However, some supplements have been proven to help manage symptoms and improve overall skin health. Some of the commonly used natural supplements for eczema are:
Fish Oil
You can take fish oil supplements if you want to boost your intake of healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. The best omega-3 supplements usually contain EPA and DHA, known for their anti-inflammatory properties. These fatty acids reduce the itching, dryness, and inflammation that come with eczema and boost overall skin health.
Some studies have shown that these fatty acids can reduce the itching, dryness, and inflammation caused by eczema and boost overall skin health. While some results are encouraging, they are limited and inconclusive. More extensive studies are needed before you can use the best fish oil supplements for eczema.
Vitamin D
Besides vitamin D’s role in bone growth and development, it also helps fight inflammation, boost immune function, regulate the immune system, and promote skin barrier function.
Studies show that people in geographical areas with little to no exposure to sunlight have high rates of vitamin D deficiency and are more likely to have eczema. However, taking vitamin D supplements may help improve eczema symptoms, especially in individuals with low levels of this vital nutrient.
Before taking the best vitamin D supplement for eczema, you must test your serum vitamin D levels. Sunlight is not the only source of vitamin D. You can also get vitamin D from oily fish, egg yolks, liver, vitamin D-fortified foods, and supplements.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful, natural antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidative stress and inflammation. Some studies have found that vitamin E may help reduce symptoms of eczema, heal cracks, and soothe irritation on the skin. A daily recommended intake of 600 IU of vitamin E intake is safe and potent enough to improve skin health.
Combining vitamin E with vitamins like vitamin D can significantly reduce the severity of eczema, leaving your skin looking supple and youthful. However, research on the effectiveness of vitamin E supplements for eczema is limited, and more research is needed.
You can also boost skin health by eating foods rich in vitamin E, such as pumpkin, avocado, sweet potatoes, eggs, liver, salmon, and leafy greens.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that supports immune function, wound healing, and skin health. It can reduce inflammation caused by skin diseases like acne and eczema. Some of the best zinc supplements for eczema can improve skin barrier function and alleviate symptoms of eczema.
People with eczema usually have low zinc levels. If your serum zinc levels are low, your doctor might suggest taking a zinc supplement. You can also get zinc from legumes, nuts, whole grains, dairy foods, seafood, and meat.
Some studies suggest that zinc deficiency is linked to severe eczema symptoms. However, additional research is needed to explore zinc as a supplement for eczema treatment.
Melatonin
Your body produces melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates your sleep patterns. Aside from its use as a sleep supplement, melatonin has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies have indicated that melatonin supplements help reduce the severity of eczema symptoms, especially in children. They modulate the body’s immune response during inflammation and promote the repair of the skin barrier. This reduces the itching and suppresses the development of eczema. Regardless, more extensive studies are needed, especially in adults.
Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that have numerous health benefits. These microorganisms can regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve gut health. An imbalance in gut bacteria – too little of the good bacteria and too much of the harmful bacteria can affect your skin health, causing eczema.
You can reduce the inflammation caused by the disruption of your immune system by eczema flares with probiotics. The best probiotic supplements for eczema usually contain strains like lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.
Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and fermented products like kimchi may benefit digestive and skin health, especially for people with eczema.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant, plays a role in immune function, and protects the body from inflammation. Some people with eczema may have lower levels of selenium.
Taking selenium supplements can help reduce inflammation and improve eczema symptoms. However, the clinical evidence supporting selenium supplementation for eczema is weak. More research is needed to prove its effectiveness.
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. It is rich in essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are popular for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Hemp seed oil is sometimes found in topical products or supplements. It improves skin health and potentially reduces symptoms of eczema. However, there is not enough evidence to support this claim.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
The best supplements for eczema are generally considered safe when you take them as directed or prescribed. Like every other medication, supplements can cause potential risks and side effects. They can interact with medications or worsen certain health conditions.
Risks
Some potential risks of using these natural supplements for eczema include:
- Supplements can interact with other medications: Some supplements for eczema may interact harmfully with other medications, reducing their efficacy.
- Supplements worsen underlying health conditions: This is one of the reasons why you should always consult your healthcare professional before starting a new supplement. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to be wary about the kind of supplements for eczema you take.
Side Effects
Taking any natural supplement for eczema in excess can cause adverse side effects. To avoid this, stay within the recommended dosage on the supplement label.
Common side effects of overconsuming supplements for eczema include:
- Fish oil: Consuming too much oil may cause your child to have diarrhea, nausea, or stomach upset. You may also notice a fishy aftertaste when you burp.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the body. High amounts of vitamin D can build up in the body, causing vitamin toxicity, which can cause constipation, nausea, and fatigue.
- Vitamin E: Like vitamin D, vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. Higher doses of vitamin E are said to be toxic. It also increases the risk of bleeding.
- Zinc: When taking high doses of zinc supplements, you may notice nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
Treating Eczema
Supplements play a complementary or supportive role. Therefore, it is essential to use evidence-based treatment options tested and recommended by healthcare professionals.
Some of the most effective and researched treatments for eczema are:
- Build a deeply moisturizing skincare routine: If you have dry skin or live in areas with harsh, humid climates, you need to be more intentional about moisturizing your skin. This would reduce the appearance of dry, scaly cracks on your skin.
- Use topical steroid creams and ointments during flare-ups. They usually contain corticosteroids like hydrocortisone, made from the steroid hormone, cortisol. This reduces the swelling and itching caused by inflammation.
- Use of medications like calcineurin inhibitors: These medications are called immunosuppressants. They suppress the immune system, preventing it from overreacting, which helps reduce inflammation and prevent flares.
- Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, involves exposing your skin to ultraviolet (UV) waves. This may be helpful in treating moderate atopic dermatitis.
You will also need to identify what allergens trigger you and do your best to reduce exposure to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, zinc supplements may be beneficial for individuals with eczema. Zinc is crucial in immune function, wound healing, and skin health.
Studies have shown that supplementing with zinc can help reduce inflammation, improve skin barrier function, and alleviate eczema symptoms. However, more research is needed because current studies on using zinc as a supplement for eczema treatment are inconclusive. Always speak with your healthcare provider before starting zinc supplements.
No natural supplement can be considered the absolute best. However, some of the best natural supplements for eczema contain fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, probiotics, and hemp seed oil. These supplements possess anti-inflammatory properties. They improve skin barrier function and reduce eczema symptoms.
Skincare products that are fragrance-free or hypoallergenic are considered to be eczema-friendly. Look through the product label for harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances. Most of these ingredients irritate your skin. You also need to consult a dermatologist for recommendations based on your skin needs and type.
has anyone tried fish oil for their kids eczema, wondering if its safe an effective? my doctor said its could help but im not sure. looking for some advice here.
Great article, Vitamins For Woman. I’ve found that adding hemp seed oil into my diet not only improved my energy levels but also had a noticeable effect on my skin’s texture and eczema. It’s all about the omega-3s!
Absolutely, FitFern45! Hemp seed oil is a powerhouse of nutrients. It’s interesting how diet plays a crucial role in managing conditions like eczema.
all these supplement suggestions but no talk about the science behind it. how do we know what works and what’s just a placebo?
if i take all these supplements at once, will i become the incredible hulk but with smooth skin? asking for a friend lol.
i heard that probiotics can help with eczema in babies, does anyone have experience with this? kinda hesitant to just try anything without more info.
It’s interesting to see Zinc on the list, I’ve always associated it more with immune function than skin health. Does anyone have personal stories about using Zinc for eczema?
Can anyone tell me if vitamin e is safe for toddlers? my little one has bad eczema and I’m looking for anything that might help.
To answer SkepticSam123, there is quite a bit of research on the efficacy of probiotics and fish oil in treating eczema. It’s always good to consult with a healthcare provider, but the science does support the use of some supplements.
tried everything under the sun for my eczema and nothing works. these supplements are just another thing that won’t help, bet.
this is super helpful, never knew about selenium and eczema. gonna try adding it to my routine, thanks for the info!