Children and adults affected with eczema are often diagnosed with food allergies as well. As a result, they are put through a strict diet plan and are sometimes recommended to eliminate certain necessary classes of food. Eczema leaves an individual deprived of the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins required to build a strong immune system.
An affected person needs the “right fuel” to fight eczema but being on limited or restricted diets, the required fuel is absent from the body. The lack of nutrition often aggravates the symptoms of eczema. Hence, it becomes essential to include multivitamins or supplements that work in favor of the body and help alleviate the skin condition.
However, it’s always about finding the right balance that works for you or your child. Please be careful as some vitamins may contain artificial or natural flavors, which may worsen eczema symptoms.
I always found that citric acid makes my son’s eczema worse, so we stuck to Neocate formula supplementation even after the age of 3 to ensure he gets enough nutrition on his limited diet.
Best Vitamins And Supplements For Eczema:
- Vitamin D: Latest research suggests that kids and adults with eczema have lower levels of Vitamin D.
- Fish Oil: In a study, it was found that people consuming fish oil equal to 1.8 g of EPA (one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) experienced a significant alleviation in their symptoms of eczema after 12 weeks.
- Vitamin C: Kids with eczema are more prone to skin infections, which is why taking Vitamin C helps build stronger immune system. Vitamin C also acts as an antihistamine.
- Vitamin E: Has anti-inflammatory properties and also helps skin heal faster.
- Probiotics supplement is considered favorable for the immune system and helps it to build stronger. More research is required to prove their significant role in treatments of eczema.
- Essential Fatty Acids are termed necessary for the proper functioning of the body. However, an external source is needed to obtain these EFAs, as the body cannot manufacture them.
- Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant found in fruits like apples, berries and vegetables. It provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Flavonoids, antioxidants found in dark berries and some plants, have anti-inflammatory properties, strengthen connective tissue, and may help reduce allergic reactions.
Check out for the following section to acquire a detailed insight to the role played by these supplements and vitamins for eczema care:
1. Vitamin D and Eczema
Vitamin D is synthesized by the body after being exposed to sunlight. In addition, the vitamin can even be obtained through a healthy diet. It has been discovered that the levels of vitamin D are lower in case of children with moderate to severe AD, in comparison to those with mild symptoms. The diets of adults with eczema were found to contain lower levels of vitamin D.
The deficiency of vitamin D is common amongst those from the cold regions because they have limited or no exposure to sunlight. Sometimes over usage of sunscreens and protective clothes can also decreases the level of the vitamin in the body.
In case of eczema, people prescribed with topical steroids are strictly recommended to refrain themselves from direct exposure of sun as these medications make the skin more prone to damage caused due to sunlight. Along with a healthy diet and supplementation, the eczema vitamin deficiency can be resolved by frequently exposing the body to sun for a very short span of time to help restore the levels of vitamin D.
2. Fish oil
Results of a study deduced that consumption of fish oil equivalent to 1.8 g of EPA (one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) significantly helps in the reduction of eczema symptoms after 12 weeks. It is suspected that omega-3 rich fish oil helps in the reduction of leukotriene B4 that tends to cause inflammation in case of eczema. However, it is preferable to consult your doctor before taking fish oil.
3. Vitamin C For Eczema
While many of the vitamins are manufactured by the body in the gastrointestinal tract , a few types can only be acquired through external sources. Vitamin C is another kind after vitamin D that can’t be synthesized by the body and can only be obtained from the diet. Vitamin C plays an important role in the formation of skin’s collagen tissue, helps protect the body against infections and detoxifies the liver. Being rich in natural antihistamine, the vitamin is essential for eczema sufferers and those with similar allergies. Deficiency of the vitamin can cause histamine toxicity and the symptoms may worsen. Also, healing of the wound tends to slow down.
A no-fruit diet is often the main cause of Vitamin C deficiency, in addition to stress, smoking and diabetes. Follow a diet that includes bell peppers, dark leafy greens, kiwifruit, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas, and papayas to help balance the level of vitamin C.
4. Vitamin E
This fat-soluble antioxidant can be termed as an essential vitamin for eczema skin. Vitamin E plays a major role in several body functions and helping improve eczema conditions.
Benefits of vitamin E for Eczema Skin
- It helps ease dryness and itching.
- For those dealing with allergies, a Vitamin E supplementation can help decrease the allergy marker immunoglobulin E (IgE), improve immune system and enhance both cell mediated and humoral immune responses.
- A clinical trial results revealed that Vitamin E brought significant improvement in about 50 per cent of adults with AD, who were treated with it on a daily basis for a duration of eight months.
- Vitamin E provides anti-inflammatory benefits as it blocks the formation of leukotriene. Leukotrienes result in inflammation of skin. Vitamin E acts on the production and release of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins that activate leukotrienes.
- Vitamin E helps guard the skin cells from the damage caused by free radicals. It helps restore the oils within the layers of skin.
- Vitamin E supplementation when combined with vitamin C, reduces chances of fatty liver disease.
Vitamins are essential for eczema-prone skin. Along with their proper intake, it is necessary to seek a qualified healthcare provider for advice and treatment regarding eczema.
Research on Eczema and Dietary Supplements:
“Dietary supplements for established atopic eczema in adults and children”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22336810
“A vitamin D-related SNP rs4674343 on CYP27A1 was found to be protective against atopic eczema.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24730053
“This study supports the contributing and beneficial effects of vitamins D and E in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20653487
