Natural treatments for eczema: are vitamins, probiotics, zinc and other supplements effective?

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Is there a miracle cure for eczema? Food supplements based on fish oil, zinc, vitamins and probiotics are sometimes touted to relieve eczema flare-ups. But what does science say? Could eczema be linked to possible deficiencies?

Researchers have investigated the possibilities of food supplements as natural treatments against eczema. L’American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) tells us what they discovered and the potential dangers of these supplements…

Oils as a natural treatment for eczema

A few studies have concluded that certain oils may help with eczema, but most studies have found no benefit.

Fish oil: According to several studiesfish oil may help reduce levels of leukotriene B4, an inflammatory substance that plays a role in the onset of eczema. However, the authors stressed the need for well-designed, larger studies to confirm these results.
Evening primrose oil: This oil, like borage oil, contains GLA, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. A study found that taking evening primrose oil supplements significantly improved dryness and itching associated with eczema. However, other studies do not achieve the same results.
Borage oil: There is no evidence that borage oil is effective for eczema.

Potential dangers: These oils are not compatible with anticoagulant treatment and certain other medications. Consuming too much oil may cause your child to develop diarrhea, nausea, or upset stomach. High doses of fish oil can be toxic to anyone if they contain vitamin A.

Probiotics as a natural treatment for eczema

Some researchers believe that probiotics may prevent the immune system from attacking the skin barrier or reduce inflammation in eczema by restoring balance to the gut microbiota.

Clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics in people with eczema, but the results are inconclusive. This is because each person has a unique microbiota, like a fingerprint, so the exact needs for probiotics vary from person to person. This makes it difficult to draw general conclusions about the benefits of probiotics for relieving eczema.

Of the studies showed an improvement in symptoms in people supplemented with the probiotic strains Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius or Lactobacillus acidophilus. However, the sample size was too small to confirm their benefits for eczema. Further research is needed.

Vitamins and minerals as a natural treatment for eczema

Vitamin deficiencies have not been clearly identified as a cause of eczema. However, some studies suggest that the vitamin C deficiency and the vitamin D deficiency could make eczema worse.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D supplementation appears to have a beneficial (but probably limited) effect on atopic dermatitis. It can especially be useful in winter.
Vitamin C: More research is needed to prove the effect of vitamin C supplements for eczema.
Vitamin E: a slight positive effect. One study suggests that the combination of vitamin E and vitamin D particularly improves symptoms.
Vitamin B6: makes no difference
Vitamin B12 cream: several studies have shown that vitamin B12 when applied topically is effective against the symptoms of eczema in adults and children.
Zinc: no difference

Potential dangers: Some vitamins, such as vitamins D and E, stay in the body for a long time. The quantity of vitamins can therefore accumulate and have toxic effects, especially in children. Consult your doctor before opting for a vitamin supplement. Some are not compatible with anticoagulants.

Beware of the risks of food supplements

Research reveals many safety concerns when dietary supplements are used to treat childhood eczema. Before taking or giving your child a supplement, it is best to speak with your dermatologist. Indeed, side effects (sometimes serious) can occur when you take certain food supplements at the same time as certain medications. Supplements may also cause allergies or decrease the effectiveness of other treatments.

Eczema treatment: watch out for triggers

Eczema is a chronic condition for which there is no miracle cure. Before considering any treatment, it is important to identify what triggers your eczema flare-ups. Knowing the irritants in your daily environment can help you better manage the condition, whether you use traditional medications, alternative therapies, or both.

Here is a list of possible triggers:

dry skin can cause eczema to flare up. Water, sun, cold and dry air can dry out the skin. It is important to keep the skin hydrated with suitable creams.
Emotional stress, nervousness, anxiety can trigger eczema but we don’t know exactly why.
metals can be irritating: nickel, cobalt, chloride, copper, gold, etc. can cause atopic dermatitis.
allergenic substances: animal hair, pollen, dust mites, cow’s milk, peanuts, soy, cigarette smoke, cockroaches, etc.)
Humidity and water: prolonged exposure to hot water, chlorine, salt water, skin yeasts and bacteria that proliferate under the skin (Staphylococcus aureus).
chemical products: amidoamine, bacitracin, benzalkonium chloride, benzophenones, black rubber, cinnamates, cocamidopropyl betaine, rosin, sodium lauryl sulfate, alcohol derivatives, parabens, etc.
skin lesions: healed wounds, scars, sunburn, scratches, etc.
textiles: non-organic materials such as polyester and latex. Organic materials with a rough texture, such as wool, can also irritate affected areas of the skin.

Sources :

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/childhood/treating/oils-probiotics-vitamins

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/childhood/treating/food-fix

https://www.webmd.com

https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/complementary-and-alternative/

https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/causes-and-triggers-of-eczema/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09546634.2021.1925077

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22336810/

https://anndermatol.org/DOIx.php?id=10.5021/ad.2018.30.4.409

Last updated: October 2024

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