Eczema is a common skin problem whose symptoms include dry, itchy, inflamed, and even cracked and oozing skin.
The skin barrier function of eczema patients is usually weak, which makes them easily susceptible to external stimuli, causing discomfort.
When it comes to treating eczema, in addition to regular skin care and medication, some supplements are believe to help relieve eczema symptoms, especially for those who want to seek other complementary therapies in addition to their daily care.
While supplements should not replace your doctor’s treatment plan, some may play a role in relieving eczema.
So, which supplements are good for eczema? Let’s look at each one.
1. Probiotics – Improve eczema from the intestines
As a kind of active microorganisms, probiotics have attracted much attention in recent years.
They may have an impact on the treatment of eczema by regulating the intestinal microbiota and improving the function of the immune system.
Research has found that certain probiotics can help reduce allergic reactions, which is especially important for people with eczema.
Whether probiotics are really effective remains controversial in the scientific community.
Because everyone’s gut microbiome is different, the effects of probiotic supplementation may vary from person to person.
However, specific strains such as Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Lactobacillus acidophilus have shown positive effects on eczema in some studies.
Especially for those with a family history of eczema or a higher risk of allergies, the use of probiotics may be effective in reducing the occurrence of eczema.
2. Vitamin B12 – Helps relieve eczema symptoms
The Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for the human body and is widely found in animal foods such as meat, fish, and dairy products.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may make eczema symptoms worse.
One case study showed that an 18-year-old patient with eczema experienced significant improvement in her symptoms after taking vitamin B12 supplements.
Still, the researchers note that more large-scale studies are need to verify the effectiveness of vitamin B12 in treating eczema.
However, if you find yourself experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency during an eczema flare-up, supplementation may have a positive effect on your skin health.
3. Vitamin C – Relieves inflammation and relieves eczema
Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant, which is widely use in enhancing immunity and anti-aging.
The antioxidant effect of vitamin C can effectively alleviate the symptoms of eczema, especially by relieving inflammation to reduce the redness, swelling and itching of the skin.
Some studies have found that people with lower vitamin C levels may have more severe symptoms of eczema.
A study in the journal Frontiers in Physiology suggests that vitamin C can act as an antihistamine, thereby reducing allergy symptoms.
Although these findings are encouraging, more clinical research is need to confirm whether vitamin C should become a routine treatment for eczema.
4. Vitamin D – The positive impact of the sunshine vitamin on eczema
Vitamin D, known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is not only essential for bone health, but may also help treat eczema.
Some studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency may worsen eczema symptoms, especially in the winter when sunlight exposure is reduced.
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology showed that children’s eczema symptoms improved significantly after they took vitamin D supplements during the winter.
So if you find yourself with an increase in eczema symptoms during the winter, taking a vitamin D supplement may help.
However, doctors recommend that it is best to test the vitamin D level in the blood before supplementing to avoid excessive intake.
5. Vitamin E : Powerful antioxidant effect to relieve eczema
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is widely found in vegetable oils, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
It can help reduce oxidative stress in the skin, thereby slowing the progression of eczema symptoms.
There is a lot of research supporting the use of vitamin E in patients with eczema.
A study in the International Journal of Dermatology found that oral vitamin E supplements significantly improved symptoms in people with eczema, particularly reducing dryness and itching of the skin.
Therefore, patients with eczema can consider taking appropriate amounts of vitamin E supplements.
6. Melatonin – Improves sleep and indirectly relieves eczema
Melatonin is the hormone that regulates sleep, but its role in eczema treatment may be more complex than you think.
Research shows that melatonin has antioxidant properties and can reduce levels of inflammatory markers, which may help reduce symptoms of eczema.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children who took melatonin continuously had reduced symptoms of eczema.
Additionally, melatonin helps improve sleep quality, which is often difficult for people with eczema due to itching.
Therefore, melatonin, as an adjunctive treatment, may indirectly help relieve the distress caused by eczema.
7. Fish oil : Anti-inflammatory effect relieves eczema symptoms
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are consider powerful anti-inflammatory properties, especially EPA and DHA.
Research shows that fish oil supplementation can reduce itching and improve dryness of the skin in people with eczema.
Nevertheless, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews states that while the effects of fish oil have been show in some studies, more high-quality research is need to confirm its effectiveness in treating eczema.
Therefore, more evidence is need to support whether fish oil should be use routinely as an auxiliary therapy.
8. Evening primrose oil – improves inflammatory response in eczema
Evening primrose oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that can be convert to DGLA.
DGLA has anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve symptoms of eczema.
Research suggests that evening primrose oil may relieve symptoms of eczema by reducing inflammation in the body and improving skin barrier function.
A study in the Annals of Dermatology found that evening primrose oil provided some relief for eczema symptoms, especially in terms of reducing dryness and itching.
However, the results of studies are inconsistent, so further research is need to verify the effectiveness of evening primrose oil.
Note: Supplements are not a panacea
While supplements may play a role in the adjunctive treatment of eczema, they should not replace professional care from a doctor.
It is always best to consult a doctor before trying any supplement, especially if you are taking other medications.
Additionally, supplement dosages need to be take with caution to avoid excessive amounts that can cause other health problems.
Summarize
Treatment for eczema requires a multifaceted approach, and supplements may be part of that approach and help relieve symptoms.
Supplements such as probiotics, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, melatonin, fish oil, and evening primrose oil all show some therapeutic potential, but since each person’s physical condition is different, the effects vary from person to person.
Therefore, when choosing supplements, patients with eczema should make careful choices based on their own conditions and the advice of their doctors.
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