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Zinc and Eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a skin disorder. The main symptom is itchy skin on the insides of the elbows and knees or on the face and the wrists. Infants are more prone to eczema but may outgrow the disorder by the time they are 18 months old. Eczema can affect people of any age group. "Atopic eczema is more common in individuals with dry skin and can appear in various areas of the body," according to the National Rosacea Society. People suffering from asthma and hay fever are more likely to suffer from this disorder.

  1. Symptoms and Cause

    • Controlling eczema is similar to controlling other allergies. First, you need to recognize the reason for its occurrence and then refrain from the cause. In most cases, allergenic foods are found to be the main cause of eczema, and merely eliminating them from your diet can produce dramatic improvement. In infants, cow’s milk is the most common allergen, so it is advisable that babies be breast-fed.

    Nutritional Deficiency

    • Eczema is also caused by deficiencies in diet. According to Botanical-Online.Com, eczema can be caused by vitamin B deficiencies. Zinc is a crucial trace element. Zinc is incorporated in many bodily processes, from the immune system to the enzymes that make your DNA and your taste buds. "Other cutaneous features of zinc deficiency that may occur include asteatotic eczema," according to National Center for Biotechnology Information.

    Zinc and Skin

    • Zinc applied topically has been found to help heal eczema and other irritations by repairing the skin's topmost layer. It is an important ingredient in many skin ointments and lotions. Zinc is also found in Benadryl, which is known to have a good effect in the treatment of eczema. Topical zinc creams provide relief by reducing redness and irritation. They also provide a protective barrier, especially where babies are concerned.

    Zinc in Diet

    • Eczema can be kept at bay by including an intake of zinc in your daily diet. This can be done by including beef, turkey, salmon and spinach, which are rich in zinc, in your daily diet. According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, the daily requirement of zinc is 11 mg for males and 8 mg for females. The RDA of zinc for children varies by age, with preteens needing 8 mg and younger children requiring less.

    Warning

    • Do not self-treat eczema by orally taking zinc supplements. Eczema and psoriasis look very similar; hence it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. See a physician, and do not use over-the-counter zinc treatments until your condition has been diagnosed as eczema, as this could cause side effects such as allergies and hives, and would not deliver satisfactory results.

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