Eczema is not the name of a single disease. It is a term used for describing skin conditions that cause inflammation or irritation of the skin. The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis, which develops following an allergic reaction. Eczema may also occur when the skin is exposed to an irritant or toxic substance. Nutritional deficiencies are also associated with eczema flare-ups. Certain vitamins are known to help in combating eczema. Deficiencies of these vitamins tend to worsen eczema flare-ups.
The Following Vitamins Are Best Known For Their Role In Fighting Eczema
1. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 works as a natural antihistamine. Hence, it is beneficial for people suffering from eczema triggered by an allergic reaction. It is involved in enzymatic reactions that help in reducing inflammation. To fight eczema, add vitamin B6 rich foods such as salmon, tuna, bran cereal, lentils and lean meat to your diet. Eczema suffers need about 2 mg of vitamin B6 per day.[1]
2. Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps in keeping the skin hydrated. This property of vitamin E helps in minimizing moisture loss from the areas of the skin affected by eczema. Vitamin E is also known to help in reducing skin itching. It is therefore effective in reducing the eczema symptoms. Vitamin E is applied topically and ingested to help clear eczema flare-ups.[2]
3. Vitamin B12
Eczema sufferers tend to be deficient in vitamin B12. Increasing intake of vitamin B12 rich foods and vitamin B12 supplementation helps relieve eczema. Applying cream containing vitamin B12 to the affected area helps in reducing redness and itching associated with eczema. Vitamin B12 works by stimulating production of nitric oxide that helps in taming the inflammatory skin disorder.[3]
4. Inositol
Inositol or vitamin B8 is known to help in fighting eczema. Deficiency of this B vitamin is associated with eczema flare-ups. This B vitamin occurs naturally in organ meat, wheat germ, brown rice, citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables.[4]
5. Biotin
Biotin or vitamin B7 plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin. Eczema may occur due to deficiency of this B vitamin. Your body needs biotin for reactions of an enzyme that helps in minimizing skin inflammation. Adding sufficient amount of biotin rich foods such as meat, poultry, rice bran, wheat and dairy to the diet helps in fighting eczema.[5]
6. Vitamin C
Another vitamin that you need in sufficient amounts to help fight eczema is vitamin C. The immune boosting effect of vitamin C helps in providing fast relief from the eczema symptoms and reducing flare-ups. Vitamin C also seems to help in inhibiting production of inflammatory substances. It is also known to help in reducing risk of secondary infections due to eczema.[6]
7. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is known to help in maintaining healthy skin and fighting eczema. Low level of vitamin A hardens the skin, which is a common symptom associated with eczema. To combat eczema, add foods rich in beta carotene, the vitamin A precursor, to your diet. Yellow and orange colored fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamin A.[7]
8. Vitamin D
According to studies, eczema sufferers usually suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplementation has shown to help in improving the symptoms of eczema. It is known to help in production of cathelicidin, a type of antimicrobial amino acid chain that helps in protecting the skin from eczema. There are a small number of dietary sources of vitamin D such as fatty fish, egg yolk cheese and vitamin D fortified food.[8]
