Vitamins such as folic acid can affect the health of many different organs, including your skin. Eczema is an immunological problem that manifests with skin symptoms. Folic acid may be able to relieve some of the symptoms of eczema, but talk to your doctor before taking folic acid supplements to ensure it is the right treatment for your condition.
Eczema
Eczema is known as a hypersensitivity disorder, which makes it somewhat similar to asthma. With eczema, the immune system causes skin lesions such as skin blistering, redness and pain around the blisters and ear discharge. Other symptoms include changes in skin color, rawness of the skin due to itching and the appearance of leathery skin patches. Eczema typically first manifests during infancy but it can strike at any age and is often exacerbated by allergies.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is also known as folate and is a member of the B family of vitamins. This vitamin is important for the function of special proteins known as enzymes, which speed up chemical reactions in the body. Folic acid is important for breaking down proteins and for the synthesis of new DNA. Folic acid is important for regulating the health of your cardiovascular system and may help event certain cancers.
Folic Acid and Eczema
Folic acid may be useful as a treatment for eczema. In some cases, people who have eczema have unusually low levels of folic acid in their bodies. Folic acid is also well absorbed by the skin when it is applied topically, a 2007 article in "The Journal of Investigative Dermatology" notes. This article also explains that folic acid may be useful for treating skin problems because of its role in repairing DNA damage.
Considerations
Although folic acid may be useful in treating cases of eczema, its efficacy as an eczema treatment has not been definitively proven in humans. As a result, you should talk to your doctor before taking folic acid supplements. In addition, consuming large amounts of folic acid can be dangerous if you have a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Do not use any vitamin supplement as a substitute for your doctor's care.
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