Written By: Dr. Diane Fulton

As the negative impacts and harmful side effects of conventional treatments of eczema with steroids and calcineurin inhibitors are realized, why not turn to the many natural options for highly effective and safe support for eczema?

Eczema, a skin disorder that is chronic, systemic and inflammation-based, is also known as atopic dermatitis (AD). It is easily identified by red, dry, itchy and scaly skin.[i] Long term use of the two most common AD treatments -- steroids and calcineurin inhibitors -- can lead to a host of negative outcomes including elevated cholesterol levels, damage to the heart, kidneys or liver, infertility[ii] and increased risk for infections, burning or pain.[iii]

Luckily, many safer natural alternatives are available without the side effects, from probiotics, fermented foods, prebiotics, vitamin supplementation and ginseng to natural plant oils.

1. Probiotics

Treatment using different probiotics is one of the most highly researched areas for eczema remedies. In a study of the effects of probiotics on the clinical symptoms, immune responses and gut microbiota in 109 AD patients, participants were offered oligosaccharides, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarun (LP) or a placebo.

The LP group had the best SCORAD index (a way to measure AD symptoms), increased serum interleukin (IL)-10 levels -- a signal of a strong immune response -- and improved gut microbiota.[iv]

Significantly decreased symptoms of AD, including the area of affected skin, intensity of AD and patient symptoms, were found in an eight-week study of 66 children from 4 months to 4 years old who were given the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, compared to a placebo.[v]

Two probiotics combined effectively reduced the incidence of infant eczema in children under 3 years old in a meta-analysis of 12 studies with 2,093 infants.[vi] Another study of 90 children from 1 to 3years old showed that three probiotics combined -- Lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium lactis and fructo-oligosaccharide -- decreased SCORAD by 33.7% and led to significant clinical AD improvements versus the placebo.[vii]

2. Fermented Foods

"Fermented foods" refer to any foods or drinks that have undergone the process of fermentation -- the chemical breakdown of sugar by yeast and bacteria. Common fermented foods -- kefir, tempeh, natto, kombucha, miso, kimchi, sauerkraut and probiotic yogurt -- can boost the number of beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, in your gut, which improves digestion and strengthens your immunity.[viii]

Research to successfully treat eczema has included fermented blueberries, black rice, orange juice, whey protein,[ix] kimchi,[x] natto,[xi] barley,[xii] rice bran[xiii] and other fermented foods.

In countries such as Korea where there are many types of fermented foods and beverages in the typical diet, those who consumed high levels -- more than three times a day  -- of fermented foods such as doenjang (soybean paste), chungkookjang (Korean soybean like natto), kimchi (fermented cabbage), fermented seafood, makgeolli (rice wine) and beerhad a lower prevalence of AD.[xiv]

Two antioxidants -- blueberry and black rice -- were fermented with LP for in vitro and in vivo studies of AD-induced mice and led to significantly improved skin inflammation as marked by lower IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 levels and less scratching.[xv]

Similarly, 50 adults with mild to moderate AD drank LP fermented orange juice daily for eight weeks, which alleviated AD symptoms and enhanced quality of life due to its immunomodulatory effects.[xvi]

3. Prebiotics

Prebiotic foods include onions, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, apples and chickory root. They are high in fiber that is not easily digested and serve as great food for your gut bacteria to flourish.[xvii] Prebiotics may help with allergy prevention and symptoms of eczema by impacting the systems involved in allergic disease development such as inflammation, immunity and gut health.[xviii]

In a meta-analysis of 22 studies, prebiotic supplementation in infants lowered the risk of developing eczema, wheezing, asthma and food allergies compared to the placebo.[xix] Another meta-analysis of four clinical trials including 1,218 infants found that prebiotic supplemented formula may prevent AD in infants up to 2 years of age.[xx]

4. Vitamins

Vitamins can also be a restorative treatment for eczema and allergic disorders, particularly vitamins B12, D and E. Researchers studied 21 children with eczema from ages 6 months to 18 years. All patients who were treated with topical vitamin B12 had significant improvements to their skin compared to the placebo treatment.[xxi]

For eight weeks, 49 AD patients applied topical vitamin B12 cream twice to one side of the body and the placebo preparation on the other side. Results showed significant superiority of vitamin B12 cream in comparison with placebo to reduce the extent and severity of AD.[xxii]

A total of 483 cases and 483 controls were reviewed and a vitamin D deficiency was found to be higher among children with asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, acute urticaria and food allergies compared to controls.[xxiii]

A meta-analysis of 11 studies of AD patients versus healthy controls showed that the AD population, especially the pediatric group, may be at higher risk for lower vitamin D levels. Supplementation with around 1,600 IU of vitamin D daily resulted in a clinically meaningful AD severity reduction of 11 points.[xxiv]

In a study of 61 healthy subjects and 506 patients with various skin disorders, blood glutathione-peroxidase levels -- a measure of oxidative stress -- were low in patients with psoriasis, eczema, vasculitis, mycosis fungoides and dermatitis herpetiformis. Those patients treated with tablets containing 0.2 milligram (mg) of selenium and 10 mg of vitamin E found their skin disorders improved within six to eight weeks, as did the marker for oxidative stress.[xxv]

Forty-two AD patients were divided into those given 400 IU of vitamin E or a placebo for four months. Vitamin E significantly improved itching, extent of the lesion and overall quality of life with no side effects in comparison to the placebo group.[xxvi]

5. Ginseng

Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) in a 500 mg tablet taken daily for eight weeks was shown to improve AD severity, skin barrier function, itching and sleep disturbances in 41 AD patients.[xxvii]

In two AD-induced mice models using in-vitro and in-vivo studies, RGE regulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines via the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in allergic inflammation.[xxviii],[xxix]

RGE exerts therapeutic effects against AD by inhibiting the T helper (Th) 2 mediated inflammation as well as by diminishing the itching sensation in a mouse model.[xxx]

6. Black Currant Seed Oil

Three hundred and thirteen pregnant mothers were randomly assigned to receive black currant seed oil (BCSO) or olive oil as a placebo until breastfeeding ended and then the infants were supplemented until they turned 2 years old. BCSO reduced the prevalence of AD in children.[xxxi]

In their animal studies of a polysaccharide extracted from black currant, researchers have shown a positive effect on immunomodulation and significant improvements in AD symptoms.[xxxii]

7. Sea Buckthorn Oil

Sea buckthorn contains flavonoids, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and important omega oils, which give it antibacterial, anti-sebum, antifungal, antipsoriasis, anti-AD and wound healing activities.[xxxiii]

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) causes a wide range of skin diseases such as bacterial keratitis, follicles, psoriasis, cellulitis and AD. Sea buckthorn oil (SBO) extract reversed the effects of SA in an in vitro study.[xxxiv]

Topical application of SBO in an AD-induced mice study significantly improved AD-like lesions, exerted an anti-inflammatory effect and repaired the skin barrier by regulating Th1 to Th2 balance.[xxxv]

8. Evening Primrose Oil

In a reanalysis of 26 clinical studies with 1,207 AD patients, evening primrose oil was shown to have beneficial effects on itching, crusting, edema (excess buildup of water) and redness between four and eight weeks after treatment was initiated. However, the magnitude of this effect was reduced in association with increasing frequency of potent steroid use.[xxxvi]

Natural Alternatives for Eczema

Eczema, or AD, remedies using natural foods, plants or supplements are highly effective and provide an alternative to potentially harmful steroids or other common drug treatments. For more in-depth evidence, see GreenMedInfo.com's research on eczema, atopic dermatitis and skin diseases.

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