Eating Too Much Salt May Increase Eczema Risk

If you’ve ever experienced red, inflamed skin, you may be among the 31 million people in the U.S. affected by eczema. Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a range of symptoms, such as severe itching, redness, oozing and rashes. According to the National Eczema Association, the condition is typically triggered by genetic and environmental factors and often results from an overactive immune system. 

However, other environmental factors, like your diet, can trigger flare-ups. A recent study published in JAMA Dermatology on June 5th, 2024, found that consuming just one additional gram (1,000 milligrams) of sodium daily may raise your eczema risk by 22%. Fortunately, knowing one of the potential culprits behind your eczema is the first step in preventing flare-ups. Keep reading to learn more about the study’s findings and what they mean for your skin health.

What the Study Found 

For this cross-sectional study, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed data from the urine samples and electronic medical records of more than 215,000 people aged 30 to 70 from the UK Biobank. 

The research team measured sodium levels in urine and correlated higher sodium excretion with increased odds of eczema diagnosis, severity and active cases. Each additional gram of sodium excreted over 24 hours was associated with an 11% higher likelihood of eczema diagnosis, 16% higher odds of an active case and an 11% higher likelihood of increased severity.

“Most Americans overeat salt and can safely reduce their intake to recommended levels,” said Katrina Abuabara, MD, associate professor of dermatology at UCSF and corresponding author of the study, in a statement. 

Sodium is a widely used nutrient typically consumed through salt that’s added to foods during cooking or processing. Experts recommend limiting your intake to less than 2,300 milligrams daily (about six teaspoons of salt). However, the average U.S. adult consumes around 3,600 milligrams per day. Excessive sodium consumption is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke—and now eczema.

Further analysis of 13,000 U.S. adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that consuming just one extra gram of sodium daily—equivalent to about half a teaspoon of table salt—was linked to a 22% higher chance of having an active eczema case.

“Eczema flares can be difficult for patients to cope with, especially when they are unable to anticipate them and don’t have recommendations on what they can do to avoid them,” added Abuabara, who is also an associate adjunct professor of epidemiology at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health.

The study’s findings highlight the importance of reducing sodium intake to manage eczema and boost skin health. Here are some helpful tips for to avoid eating too much salt:

• Read nutrition labels carefully and choose low-sodium or sodium-free options.
• Cook homemade meals to limit the amount of salt used or replace it with herbs, spices, and citrus juices to enhance flavor.
• Limit processed foods like canned soups and salty snacks.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush out excess sodium from your body.
• Eat potassium-rich foods like bananas and avocados to help balance your sodium levels.

The Bottom Line 

This new study suggests that consuming less salt can improve skin health and significantly lower the risk of eczema flare-ups. Excellent ways to reduce your salt consumption include eating potassium-rich whole foods, limiting processed foods high in sodium, reading nutrition labels and preparing healthy meals at home using lower-sodium alternatives like herbs, spices and citrus juice.