January 15, 2010 by Mel

Eczema – one of the most common medical problems  in the world today affects millions of people globally.  And it is on the rise with the number of people suffering from the condition doubling in the last 30 years.  The involvement of magnesium in the body and its relevance to eczema is very complex.  I have tried to outline it simply to give you a basic understanding.

Magnesium is a metallic element whose presence in our body is essential for good health.

A magnesium deficiency in the body will increase the body’s sensitivity to stress.  Likewise, an increase in stress will aggravate magnesium deficiency.  Thus creating a vicious cycle.  As you know stress tends to aggravate eczema.

Stress will also stop the production of the stomach acid, hydrochloric acid. (HCL).  The best known nutrient deficiency resulting from decreased HCL is a vitamin B12 deficiency.  Vitamin B12 assists in tissue repair.  A lack of HCL is prevalent specifically in atopic dermatitis.

Magnesium deficiency will also result in an increase in histamine production.  This in turn causes the blood vessels to swell and fluid to leak into the skin and underlying tissues.  The end result is red blotches on the skin and itchiness, again a classic symptom of eczema.

Lipid (fat) metabolism is also affected when there is a magnesium deficiency.  This causes changes to the skins protective barrier.  Scientists suspect that these changes are what make eczema sufferers more sensitive to irritants.  These people have lower levels of fatty acids in their skin.  Since fatty acids provide moisture and elasticity to the skin it stands to reason that a deficiency of fatty acids will result in dryness and a reduction in the skins ability to control inflammation – the dry inflamed patches of eczema.