People are always looking for vitamins for eczema sufferers to help them find relief. In fact, there is growing evidence that vitamin deficiency can cause eczema. In this article, I will discuss how vitamin D can help and whether you should provide supplementation to your child with eczema.
If my child has eczema, should they take Vitamin D?
There is growing evidence that vitamin D can be helpful for children with eczema. Given the data, it is definitely a good idea to speak with your pediatrician before starting Vitamin D.
In case you’re wondering what vitamins are good for skin with eczema, vitamin D is one of them.
There are affiliate links in this post. Read my disclosure policy to learn more.
Is there proof that vitamin D helps eczema?
Yes, there are several studies that support the use of vitamins for eczema sufferers. One study that was done in 2014 among Mongolian children found that 1000 IU of Vitamin D daily helped improve the severity of eczema in the winter. This is a very well designed study and well written paper. (1)
A more robust study in 2016 (2) showed two important findings:
- children with eczema were found to have low vitamin D levels
- vitamin D supplementation improved the severity of eczema
What is the link between vitamin D and eczema?
The mechanism of how vitamin D deficiency causes eczema is not clear and research is still ongoing. The idea that the two are connected started when doctors recognized that ultraviolet light therapy in the office improved severe cases of atopic dermatitis. Since then, doctors started to investigate the link between vitamin D and eczema. (3)
How much Vitamin D is recommended?
It’s very important to discuss with your own pediatrician before starting supplementation of vitamins for eczema sufferers. Looking at the American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report, the recommended dosage is 400 IU/daily for age younger than 1-year-old and 600 IU/daily for older children. (4)
Where should I get vitamin D?
There are two natural ways to get vitamin D: sunlight and food
Sunlight: The sun is a natural way for your body to create vitamin D. The UV light helps start a chemical reaction. Wearing sunscreen is important, but can lead to vitamin D deficiency. In the past, there were recommendations about how many minutes of sun exposure people should get, but with concerns of melanoma and skin cancer, there is no official recommendation at this time. More pediatricians are leaning towards the dietary route or supplementation of vitamin D.
Food: It can be available through diet. A good source of vitamin D is fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and shitake mushrooms. This can be a potential issue as many children with eczema have a sensitivity to seafood. (5)
Foods that are fortified with vitamin D also include cereal, oatmeal, orange juice. Cows milk is also fortified with vitamin D, but also can cause food sensitivity issues, which is why I left it out.
What are good supplements for vitamin D?
This is the brand I personally use for my child.
It is very important to give your baby vitamin D supplements if you are breastfeeding as breastmilk does not have vitamin D.
My child tolerates it very well as there is no taste and we have not had issues. I have been supplementing it since he was born. I administer a single drop into his mouth, but some people have suggested putting it in their food. I don’t think there’s a single right way. It has just been my routine to do so after I bath him. I also give him a dose of probiotics as well. Click here to learn more about probiotics.
I like the design of this body because it gives a consistent drop of vitamin D each time (approximately 0.028mL per drop). This product does not require refrigeration, making it very convenient to take with you on the go.
Also, this product is free from wheat, gluten, soy, corn, sugar, milk, and peanut.
Whatever product you decide to purchase, make sure it is Vitamin D3. There is another type of Vitamin D, called D2. D3 is the one that elevates 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcifediol), which is what is measured in your blood to check for vitamin D levels.
Summary
There is growing evidence that vitamin D deficiency can cause eczema. While it is best to get vitamin D through food, sometimes supplementation is needed. The recommended dosage per American Academy of Pediatrics is 400 IU/daily for age younger than 1 year old and 600 IU/daily for older children. Some studies have cited a higher dosage. It’s best to consult with your pediatrician to get the right dosage for your child. Vitamin D3 is the preferred version of vitamin D. I hope this article helps your child with eczema. Learn more about the best vitamins for eczema.