Has anyone who has eczema ever tried taking zinc supplements?

I have terrible eczema on my legs, back and hands. The topical prescriptions I've been using just don't seem to work anymore. I'm wondering if anyone else who suffers from eczema has had any luck with taking zinc supplements. I was doing a little research today and found several sources that mention that zinc deficiencies are a common cause of eczema.

Some recomended a supplement (15-20 mg/day for women 30mg/day for men) but others said a supplement wouldn't really help.

Has anyone ever tried taking zinc for their eczema? How did that work out for you? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

Hi Janelle. What's cooking? Sorry, just couldn't help myself.

Zinc may or may not help. The only way to know is to try it. There is little risk of harm in taking the doses you noted.

A lot of recent scientific evidence has suggested that essential fatty acid supplements may be helpful for some with atopic eczema. Both omega-3 fish oils and omega-6 gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) may be needed.

You can find these at your local health food store. You may need fairly high doses for several months to see improvements. These are safe and have many other health-promoting benefits too.

Best wishes and good luck.

cortizone cream 1.0 strength......

You're gonna think I'm absolutely crazy but........ I found in Walmart this cream called Heel Rescue and it's working! I've been using it for a week now and my hands are almost cleared up. I simply can't believe it. The ONLY thing that ever worked for me before was salt water soakings. Now, beware, as it's healing it's gonna itch so get some anti-itch cream to use when that happens.

it wouldnt hurt to take it. but it helping is up to question... Eczema is kind of a generic term for skin rash anyways and a lot of different things could be causing it. Food alergy is at the top of the list but an immune disorder could be causing it as well. I still get eczema from time to time on my fingers but ive not had a really bad case of it for years, i think alot of it was caused because i used to drink alot of beer.. now i dont, and its not a problem anymore

I have eczema, my arms hands legs stomach feet and back all break out very badly. Zinc did nothing for me.... But have you tried the UV treatment? Basically the sun is great if you have eczema. My dermatologist recommended that I go tanning 2-3 times a week and it has helped quite a bit. Make sure to use a sun block that does not contain aloe. If you need a good moisturizer try utter cream... (they sell it at WalMart) Or if you skin is really dry and cracked you can get bag balm at a feed store .... But be careful with this because it is really greasy.
Another thing and not many doctors recommend this BUT I did it after talking with my specialist if you are using a steroid ointment try putting the ointment on and then wrapping the affected area with plastic wrap it helps to open the pores on the skin and actually get more of the medication in your system. Hope this helps.