How Is Your Baby’s Skin Rash Connected To Vitamin D?

In 2011, Dr. Peroi et al. published a paper in the British Journal of Dermatology * and discovered that the lower the vitamin D levels, the worse the eczema for children.  

You might have heard about phototherapy for treating eczema patients.  The idea is to use narrow band UVB to increase calcitriol (vitamin D3) level. The effects could result in local immunosuppression and direct anti-itch effects. In in vitro studies, vitamin D3 (calcitriol) has been shown to induce cathelicidin expression in keratinocytes, which enhances antimicrobial activity against S. aureus.  While getting such therapy requires serious commitment (multiple visits at dermatologist office) and deal with certain side effects, vitamin D could potentially be obtained through alternative sources other than light or sun array. For instance, fortified food (cereals and juice) or vitamin D supplement (there are ones that are designed for children, the one we recommend is L’il Critters vitamin D Gummy Bears. You can get them from Amazon or local stores).

The food that is rich in vitamin D includes fatty fish such as salmon, cheese, egg yolks, and certain mushrooms. If you or your child has any allergic reactions to fish, dairy products, or eggs, then vitamin D supplements or fortified cereal, combined with moderate sun exposure, are some good options.

 *D.G. Peroni,  G.L. Piacentini,  E. Cametti,  I. Chinellato,  A.L. Boner

The British Journal of Dermatology. 2011;164(5):1078-1082.