Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, refers to red, itchy, inflamed skin, usually on the arms and behind the knees

Eczema is chronic –it flares up periodically over a person’s lifetime and there is no cure

New randomized, placebo-controlled trial looked at vitamin D supplementation in 92 children or teens with severe eczema

All participants were treated with steroid cream twice daily and half also received 1,600 IU of vitamin D3

–At baseline, many of the patients were vitamin D deficient

Results: the steroid cream only group experienced a 42% reduction in symptoms, while the group receiving the steroid cream plus vitamin D had a 56% reduction

Vitamin D helps strengthen skin cells and reduces inflammation – has also been used to treat other inflammatory skin conditions including acne and psoriasis