Excess sodium intake may increase risk of eczema flare-ups

UCSF study finds that changes in daily salt intake may explain eczema flare-ups.

A diet high in sodium may increase the risk of eczema, according to a study conducted by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). They found that consuming just one more gram of sodium per day—the amount found in a Big Mac—increased your risk of exacerbations by 22%.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition that causes dry and itchy skin. It is one of the most common skin diseases, affecting more than 31 million people in the United States, and one in ten people will experience it at some point.

Eczema has become increasingly common in recent years, especially in industrialized countries, and has been linked to environmental and lifestyle choices such as diet.

Sodium, which most people consume in the form of salt, increases the risk of hypertension and heart disease. Scientists recently discovered that sodium is stored in the skin, where it may play a role in inflammation in eczema.

Limiting sodium intake may be an easy way for eczema patients to manage their condition.

"Most Americans eat too much salt and can safely reduce their salt intake to recommended levels," said Catherine Abouaara, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at UCSF and lead author of the study published in JAMA Dermatology.

"Eczema flare-ups can be difficult for patients," said Abuaara, who is also an assistant professor of epidemiology at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, "especially when they can't anticipate them and don't have guidance on what they can do to help them." avoid."

In their cross-sectional study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 215,000 people aged 30 to 70 years from the UK Biobank, including urine samples and electronic medical records.

They could determine how much sodium each person consumed from urine samples; they could also see whether people had been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, as well as its severity based on prescription codes.

They found that each additional gram of sodium excreted in urine over a 24-hour period was associated with 11% higher odds of being diagnosed with eczema, 16% higher odds of an active case, and 11% higher odds of increased severity.

They then studied 13,000 adults in the US as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that consuming just one extra gram of sodium per day - about half a teaspoon of salt - was associated with 22% higher odds of having... Someone will have an active case of eczema.