Do you know that the food and drinks you consume, the daily stress you experience, the products you put on your skin, the sleepless night, the environment you are in, allergens and a vitamin deficiency can all be triggers for eczema/atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions?
I’d like to briefly mention just two vitamins deficiencies that are linked to skin issues.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A deficiency is commonly known to contribute toward dry skin and eczema.
Consuming Vitamin A is also known to help fight inflammation and repair skin.
Here are some natural sources of Vitamin A:
- Cod Liver Oil
- Eggs
- Orange and Yellow Vegetables and Fruits
- OTHER SOURCES OF BETA-CAROTENE SUCH AS: Broccoli, Spinach, and most Dark Green, Leafy Vegetables.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D3 (from the Sun) and Vitamin D2 (from certain Foods)
Vitamin D3 is known as the “Sunshine Vitamin”, so it makes sense that if there is less sunshine in the winter, more overcast, dull cold weather outside, and more dry central heating indoors then your eczema will worsen in the winter.
As a family from the UK, if we go on a winter holiday abroad, my sons’ eczema isn’t a problem whilst we are in hot weather, despite being in and out of a chlorinated pool.
Taking a Vitamin D3 supplement in the winter has been shown to help kids whose eczema worsens in winter. A type of eczema called “Winter Related Atopic Dermatitis”. In fact, a common treatment for Atopic Dermatitis is the controlled use of UV Lights.
If you are getting your Vitamin D from the sun, those with darker skin tones are more prone to being Vitamin D deficient, and so will need to be in the sun for longer to absorb enough Vitamin D from the sun.
People with certain illnesses such as crohns, ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis and liver disease can also be at risk of a Vitamin D deficiency because their intestines don’t absorb enough Vitamin D from food or supplementation. Older people, and individuals who follow a vegan or low-fat diet can also be at risk and will therefore benefit from a supplement.
Babies that are being breast fed can also have a deficiency as breast milk only contains a small amount of Vitamin D, therefore it is essential for mums to ask their doctors which Vitamin D they should give their babies. Certain drugs such as laxatives, steroids, seizure and weight loss drugs can also affect Vitamin D Absorption.
It’s also worth pointing out that although you can’t get too much Vitamin D from the sun, you can get too much from supplements. This is called Vitamin D toxicity. It is therefore important to speak with a health practitioner to understand the correct dosage you should take for your age, skin tone and gender, even before you factor in any health conditions you may have as an individual.
Sources of Vitamin D:
1. Sun Exposure
2. Mushroom
3. Egg Yolk
4. Oily, Fatty Fish and Seafood such as:
- tuna
- mackerel
- oysters
- shrimp
- sardines
- anchovies
For more detailed information about how vitamin deficiencies affect your skin, watch the Tigs & Moo YouTube video
Can Eczema Be Caused By A Vitamin Deficiency?
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