Vitamin D affects the body in many ways, some of which are still under investigation. One area of particular interest is the effect on the skin. Skin conditions can be caused by numerous factors, including autoimmune disorders and infections. Vitamin D as a treatment for skin problems depends on both the specific condition and the individual patient.
Vitamin D
Fat-soluble vitamin D can be synthesized by the skin when it's exposed to ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from the sun. Exposure to the sun for 5 to 15 minutes, two to three times a week, is typically enough to produce sufficient vitamin D. It can also be obtained through food, primarily fortified dairy products and fatty fish, such as sardines, tuna and herring. Supplemental vitamin D, derived from animal or plant sources, can be used to make up for inadequate skin production or dietary intake. The primary function of vitamin D in the body is to help with the absorption and utilization of calcium, so it is important for building and maintaining healthy bones. Some people also use vitamin D as a treatment for skin problems, including psoriasis, eczema, actinic keratosis, vitiligo, scleroderma and lupus vulgaris. The evidence for vitamin D's effectiveness against these conditions remains mixed, but preliminary research on supplemental vitamin D shows promise for some skin conditions.
Psoriasis
A prescription variety of topical vitamin D, called calcitriol or calcipotriene, is used in the treatment of psoriasis, a skin condition affecting between 1 and 3 percent of Americans. This disorder causes thick plaques to form on the skin that can be unsightly and uncomfortable, but are not generally dangerous. Topical versions of vitamin D are applied twice daily to treat psoriasis. Because psoriasis responds differently in each patient, vitamin D might not be appropriate for all people with this disorder. A doctor can help you determine whether vitamin D might work for your specific condition.
Eczema
A 2008 study published in the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" found that oral vitamin D supplementation might help prevent skin infections caused by atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema. People with atopic dermatitis develop itchy, red and flaky skin that can easily become infected with bacteria and viruses. Vitamin D supplementation can help correct an immune system problem in people with this disorder, whose bodies fail to produce a protective skin compound called cathelicidin.
Other Conditions
Some skin conditions, such as vitiligo and scleroderma, are the result of an immune dysfunction that attacks skin cells. Because vitamin D plays a role in proper immune system functioning, treatment with vitamin D could help relieve these types of conditions. Most uses of vitamin D for skin conditions have not been sufficiently studied yet to accurately rate their effectiveness. Exposing the skin to high levels of ultraviolet light can potentially lead to skin cancer, so prolonged sun exposure as a way to increase vitamin D synthesis is typically not advised.
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