Eczema - Supplements

Soothe your eczema irritation. This common skin condition is characterized by dry, itchy skin. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Avoid allergens and irritants
Work with a qualified professional to identify airborne allergens, chemicals, foods, and irritants that make your condition worse
Take fatty acids
Supply anti-inflammatory fatty acids missing in many people with eczema by taking 500 to 1,000 mg a day of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) from evening primrose oil or borage oil, or 1,800 mg a day of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) from fish oils; children should take amounts proportionately less according to body weight
Help children avoid allergies with beneficial bacteria
Pregnant women and newborns should get probiotic supplements that contain 10 billion colony-forming units a day of lactobacillus-type bacteria to reduce risk of eczema in early life

Also indexed as:

atopic dermatitis,
atopic eczema,
eczema

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Calendula (Radiation-Induced Dermatitis)	Refer to label instructions	Radiation therapy for breast cancer frequently causes painful dermatitis. Breast cancer patients who topically applied calendula had significantly fewer cases of severe dermatitis.
Calendula Radiation therapy for breast cancer frequently causes painful dermatitis at the radiation site. In a study of women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, those who topically applied Calendula officinalis had significantly fewer cases of severe dermatitis, compared with those who used a standard medication.⁹ Calendula treatment was begun after the first radiation session and was applied twice a day or more, depending on whether dermatitis or pain occurred. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Chamomile	Apply 5 to 6% herbal extract several times per day	Topical applications of chamomile have been shown to be moderately effective in the treatment of eczema.
Chamomile Apply 5 to 6% herbal extract several times per day Topical applications of chamomile have been shown to be moderately effective in the treatment of eczema.¹⁰ ^{, 11} One trial found it to be about 60% as effective as 0.25% hydrocortisone cream.¹² What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Evening Primrose Oil	Adults: 500 to 1,000 mg a day of GLA; children: proportionately less, according to body weight	Supplementing with evening primrose oil can supply anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are missing in many people with eczema.
Evening Primrose Oil Adults: 500 to 1,000 mg a day of GLA; children: proportionately less, according to body weight Researchers have reported that people with eczema do not have the normal ability to process fatty acids, which can result in a deficiency of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).¹³ GLA is found in evening primrose oil (EPO), borage oil, and black currant seed oil. Some,¹⁴ ^{, 15} ^{, 16} but not all,¹⁷ ^{, 18} ^{, 19} ^{, 20} double-blind trials have shown that EPO is useful in the treatment of eczema. An analysis of nine trials reported that the effects for reduced itching were most striking.²¹ Much of the research uses 12 pills per day; each pill contains 500 mg of EPO, of which 45 mg is GLA. Smaller amounts have been shown to lack efficacy.²² What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Fish Oil	Adults: 1,800 mg a day of EPA; children: proportionately less, according to body weight	Supplementing with fish oil can supply anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are missing in many people with eczema.
Fish Oil Adults: 1,800 mg a day of EPA; children: proportionately less, according to body weight Ten grams of fish oil providing 1.8 grams of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) per day were given to a group of eczema sufferers in a double-blind trial. After 12 weeks, those using the fish oil experienced significant improvement.²³ ^{, 24} According to the researchers, fish oil may be effective because it reduces levels of leukotriene B4, a substance that has been linked to eczema.²⁵ The eczema-relieving effects of fish oil may require taking ten pills per day for at least 12 weeks. Smaller amounts of fish oil have been shown to lack efficacy.²⁶ One trial using vegetable oil as the placebo reported that fish oil was barely more effective than the placebo (30% vs. 24% improvement).²⁷ As vegetable oil had previously been reported to have potential therapeutic activity, the apparent negative outcome of this trial should not dissuade people with eczema from considering fish oil. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Galacto-oligosaccharides and Fructo-oligosaccharides (Infants)	90% galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% fructo-oligosaccharides mixture added daily to infant formula	In one study, adding a mixture of 90% galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% fructo-oligosaccharides to infant formula prevented the development of eczema in babies who were at high risk of developing eczema.
Galacto-oligosaccharides and Fructo-oligosaccharides 90% galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% fructo-oligosaccharides mixture added daily to infant formula In a double-blind trial, the addition of a mixture of 90% galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% fructo-oligosaccharides to infant formula prevented the development of eczema in infants who were at high risk of developing eczema. The incidence of eczema in the first six months of life was 9.8% in the group receiving oligosaccharides, compared with 23.1% in the placebo group, a statistically significant difference. The product used in this study was designed to mimic the oligosaccharide content of human milk, and was added at a concentration of 0.8 grams per 100 ml.²⁸

Supplement	Amount	Why
Probiotics	10 billion colony-forming units daily of lactobacillus-type bacteria	Pregnant women and newborns who take probiotic supplements may reduce risk of eczema in early life.
Probiotics 10 billion colony-forming units daily of lactobacillus-type bacteria A double-blind trial reported that use of a hypoallergenic infant formula plus probiotics (500 million organisms of Lactobacillus GG bacteria per gram of formula, taken for one month) initially led to improvement in eczema symptoms in infants with suspected allergy to cow's milk.²⁹ However, by the end of two months, both the group receiving Lactobacillus GG and the placebo group had improved approximately the same amount. In the same report, a preliminary trial giving 20 billion lactobacilli twice per day to breast-feeding mothers led to significant improvement of their allergic infants’ eczema after one month. However, another double-blind trial found that Lactobacillus GG was no more effective than a placebo in infants with mild to moderate eczema.³⁰ In another double-blind trial, a different probiotic preparation (1 billion organisms of Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-033 PCC taken twice a day) reduced the severity of eczema in a group of young children with moderate or severe eczema.³¹ Probiotics may reduce allergic reactions by improving digestion, by helping the intestinal tract control the absorption of food allergens, and/or by changing immune system responses. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
St. John’s Wort	Apply a cream containing 5% of an herbal extract standardized to 1.5% hyperforin twice per day	A topical cream containing St. John’s wort was shown in one study to greatly improve the severity of eczema. The herb appears to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
St. John’s Wort Apply a cream containing 5% of an herbal extract standardized to 1.5% hyperforin twice per day Caution: It is likely that there are many drug interactions with St. John's wort that have not yet been identified. St. John's wort stimulates a drug-metabolizing enzyme (cytochrome P450 3A4) that metabolizes at least 50% of the drugs on the market.³² Therefore, it could potentially cause a number of drug interactions that have not yet been reported. People taking any medication should consult with a doctor or pharmacist before taking St. John's wort. In a double-blind trial, people with eczema applied a cream containing an extract of St. John’s wort to the affected areas on one side of the body, and a placebo (the same cream without the St. John’s wort) to the other side. The treatment was administered twice a day for four weeks. The severity of the eczema improved to a significantly greater extent on the side treated with St. John’s wort than on the side treated with placebo.³³ Although the mechanism by which St. John’s wort relieves eczema is not known, it might be due to the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of hyperforin, one of its constituents. The cream used in this study contained 5% of an extract of St. John’s wort (standardized to 1.5% hyperforin). As topical application of St. John’s wort can cause sensitivity to the sun, care should be taken to avoid excessive sun exposure when using this treatment. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Witch Hazel	Apply 10 to 20% herbal extract two to three times per day	A cream prepared with witch hazel and phosphatidylcholine has been shown to be effective in the topical management of eczema.
Witch Hazel Apply 10 to 20% herbal extract two to three times per day A cream prepared with witch hazel and phosphatidylcholine has been reported to be as effective as 1% hydrocortisone in the topical management of eczema, according to one double-blind trial.³⁴ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Zemaphyte Chinese Herbal Formula	One or two packets mixed in hot water and taken once daily	Zemaphyte, a traditional Chinese herbal preparation that includes licorice as well as nine other herbs, has been successful in treating childhood and adult eczema in trials.
Zemaphyte Chinese Herbal Formula One or two packets mixed in hot water and taken once daily Zemaphyte, a traditional Chinese herbal preparation that includes licorice as well as nine other herbs, has been successful in treating childhood and adult eczema in double-blind trials.³⁵ ^{, 36} ^{, 37} One or two packets of the combination is mixed in hot water and taken once per day. Because one study included the same amount of licorice in both the placebo and the active medicine, it is unlikely that licorice is the main active component of Zemaphyte.³⁸ Several Chinese herbal creams for eczema have been found to be adulterated with steroids. The authors of one study found that 8 of 11 Chinese herbal creams purchased without prescription in England contained a powerful steroid drug used to treat inflammatory skin conditions.³⁹

Supplement	Amount	Why
Burdock	Refer to label instructions	Burdock has been used historically to treat people with eczema. Learn More
Calendula	Refer to label instructions	Topical preparations containing calendula, chickweed, or oak bark have been used traditionally to treat people with eczema.
Calendula Topical preparations containing calendula, chickweed, or oak bark⁴⁰have been used traditionally to treat people with eczema but none of these has been studied in scientific research focusing on people with eczema. Radiation therapy for breast cancer frequently causes painful dermatitis at the radiation site. In a study of women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, those who topically applied Calendula officinalis had significantly fewer cases of severe dermatitis, compared with those who used a standard medication.⁴¹ Calendula treatment was begun after the first radiation session and was applied twice a day or more, depending on whether dermatitis or pain occurred. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Chickweed	Refer to label instructions	Topical preparations containing calendula, chickweed, or oak bark have been used traditionally to treat people with eczema.
Chickweed Topical preparations containing calendula, chickweed, or oak bark⁴²have been used traditionally to treat people with eczema but none of these has been studied in scientific research focusing on people with eczema. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Licorice	Refer to label instructions	Licorice may help eczema through its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to affect the immune system.
Licorice Zemaphyte, a traditional Chinese herbal preparation that includes licorice as well as nine other herbs, has been successful in treating childhood and adult eczema in double-blind trials.⁴³ ^{, 44} ^{, 45} One or two packets of the combination is mixed in hot water and taken once per day. Because one study included the same amount of licorice in both the placebo and the active medicine, it is unlikely that licorice is the main active component of Zemaphyte.⁴⁶ Several Chinese herbal creams for eczema have been found to be adulterated with steroids. The authors of one study found that 8 of 11 Chinese herbal creams purchased without prescription in England contained a powerful steroid drug used to treat inflammatory skin conditions.⁴⁷ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Oak	Refer to label instructions	Topical preparations containing calendula, chickweed, or oak bark have been used traditionally to treat people with eczema.
Oak Topical preparations containing calendula, chickweed, or oak bark⁴⁸have been used traditionally to treat people with eczema but none of these has been studied in scientific research focusing on people with eczema. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Oats	Refer to label instructions	Wild oats have been used historically to treat people with eczema.
Oats Burdock, sarsaparilla, red clover, and wild oats have been used historically to treat people with eczema, but without scientific investigation. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Onion	Refer to label instructions	Onion injections into the skin and topical onion applications have been shown to inhibit skin inflammation in people with eczema, according to one trial.
Onion Onion injections into the skin and topical onion applications have been shown to inhibit skin inflammation in people with eczema, according to one double-blind trial.⁴⁹ The quantity or form of onion that might be most effective is unknown. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Red Clover	Refer to label instructions	Red clover has been used historically to treat people with eczema.
Red Clover Burdock, sarsaparilla, red clover, and wild oats have been used historically to treat people with eczema, but without scientific investigation. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Sarsaparilla	Refer to label instructions	Sarsaparilla has been used historically to treat people with eczema.
Sarsaparilla Burdock, sarsaparilla, red clover, and wild oats have been used historically to treat people with eczema, but without scientific investigation. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Shelled Hemp Seed	Refer to label instructions	Theoretically shelled hemp seed or its oil may be useful for people with eczema due to its essential fatty acid content.
Shelled Hemp Seed Though it has not been studied, theoretically shelled hemp seed or its oil may be useful for people with eczema due to its content of essential fatty acids.⁵⁰ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Shiunko	Refer to label instructions	Shiunko, a Japanese topical ointment, has been reported to help improve eczema symptoms, according to preliminary research.
Shiunko A Japanese topical ointment called Shiunko has been reported to help improve symptoms of eczema, according to preliminary research.⁵¹ The ointment contains sesame oil and four herbs (Lithospermum radix, Angelica radix, Cera alba and Adeps suillus) and was applied twice daily along with petrolatum and 3.5% salt water for three weeks. Clinical improvement was seen in four of the seven people using Shiunko.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin C	Refer to label instructions	Vitamin C might be beneficial in treating eczema by affecting the immune system.
Vitamin C In 1989, Medical World News reported that researchers from the University of Texas found that vitamin C, at 50–75 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight, reduced symptoms of eczema in a double-blind trial.⁵² In theory, vitamin C might be beneficial in treating eczema by affecting the immune system, but further research has yet to investigate any role for this vitamin in people with eczema. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

References

Last Review: 05-11-2011

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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