After discussing the effects of sunlight on SD as well as a “cheat” of bringing the sunlight into our homes during the winter, let us focus today on the related topic of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation. Time and again, vitamin D deficiency is brought up both in the scientific community (paper1, paper2) and anecdotal accounts by those with SD. Let us bring forward some of those accounts:
I myself have been diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency so like others with Seb Derm, I’m “proof” that Vitamin D deficiency and Seb Derm go hand in hand and I was still deficient despite taking supplements for around 2 months. Also, I can legitimately trace back the start of my Seb Derm to the time in my life where my Vitamin D levels plummeted. Basically, I’ve got no reason to assume there are other reasons for Seb Derm. Some of you think it’s genetic but I disagree. AIDS patients get Seb Derm at rates of up to 85%. If Seb Derm was genetic then the rates of AIDS patients with Seb Derm would reflect the global average of < 2.5%. Anecdotally, there is no history of Seb Derm in my family. We can basically sum it up like this: not everyone with Vitamin D deficiency has Seb Derm but everyone with Seb Derm has Vitamin D deficiency.
Thrillho_VanHouten on reddit.com
After a week of Caribbean sunshine, I finally recognized how important Vitamin D can be for my SD. My SD was 95% better after returning home. Now I take 2500IU of D3 and use an OTC 3% salicylic acid shampoo (apply 2x, rinse very well) plus a high quality conditioner. Have stayed at 95% for 2 months with a hope to gain even more ground over the course of 2016. It works and is not an expensive treatment.
Peter John on skindrone.com
What science says
Not many studies exist on this topic. However, one recent paper has found that about 2 in 3 patients have reported reduced recurrence of SD during the period of vitamin D supplementation.
The effect of vitamin D supplementation on recurrences of seborrheic dermatitis
by Jenya Dimitrova
Abstract: Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, erythemo-squamous disorder affecting scalp, face and mid line of the chest and back, found in 3% to 11 % of the population worldwide. There is growing evidence that vitamin D may play beneficial role in therapy of this common condition. We studied 32 patients (16 males and 16 females) aged from 18 to 64 years with proven vitamin D deficiency (serum 25 (OH) vitamin D lower than 21ng/l) who were supplemented with 1600IU cholecalciferol per day for 3 months. Patients filled in a form with the number and duration of exacerbations of seborrheic dermatitis they experienced during the trial period. The number of recurrences of SD during the period of vitamin D supplementation was reduced in 21 patients (65,6%). No change in the rate of worsening was found in four female and three male patients. Four patients observed an increase in the frequency of the exacerbations.
Recommended daily intake
The scientific evidence seems to support vitamin D supplementation for SD sufferers. It is however important to choose the right amount of the supplement, as vitamin D overdose can have significant adverse effects.
The U.S Institute of Medicine has established a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) to protect against vitamin D toxicity. These levels in microgram (mcg or µg) and International Units (IU) for both males and females are:
(Conversion : 1 µg = 40 IU and 0.025 µg = 1 IU.)
- 0–6 months: 25 µg (1000 IU)
- 7–12 months: 38 µg (1500 IU)
- 1–3 years: 63 µg (2500 IU)
- 4–8 years:75 µg (3000 IU)
- 9+ years:100 µg (4000 IU)
- Pregnant and Lactating: 100 µg (4000 IU)
The recommended dietary allowance is 15 µg/d (600 IU per day; 800 IU for those over 70 years). Overdose has been observed at 1,925 µg/d (77,000 IU per day). Acute overdose requires between 15,000 µg/d (600,000 IU per day) and 42,000 µg/d (1,680,000 IU per day) over a period of several days to months.
Share your experience
If you try Vitamin D supplementation, please help the SD community by sharing your own experience in the comments below
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