Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Applying B12 cream to area of body affected by eczema, showed a significant drop in symptoms related to drying, itching and destruction of skin. 

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a long-term or chronic condition that results in itchy, dry, red and cracked skin.  Approximately 11% of children in the United States have a diagnosis of eczema (2). Nitric oxide is known to cause itching and redness in eczema and previous research has shown vitamin B12 is effective at reducing nitric oxide in the body (3).  For this reason, researchers recently conducted a study to determine if vitamin B12 applied topically to the skin would improve eczema signs and symptoms (1).

The research included 49 participants (30 females, 19 males) from 18 to 70 years of age, all who had been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis for at least 2 years (1).  Participants were given two different creams, each to be applied twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.  The B12 cream (0.07% cyanocobalamin) was applied to affected areas on one side of the body and the placebo cream was applied to affected areas on the other side of the body.  The participants and the physician did not know which cream was the B12 cream and which cream was the placebo cream (1).

The Six Area Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis (SASSAD) score was used to measure improvement in dryness, itching, erosion (destruction of the skin), lichenification (thickening of skin from excessive itching), erythema (redness) and infiltration (how far it has spread) of eczema.  The score ranges from 0-240, with zero representing no signs or symptoms and 240 being severe atopic dermatitis or eczema (1).

After 8-weeks, the body side treated with the vitamin B12 cream had a significant drop in the SASSAD score compared to the placebo side of the body (SASSAD score decreased by 55.34 +/- 5.74 points in B12 vs 28.87 +/- 4.86 in placebo; P<0.0002), showing an improvement from the B12 cream (1).

Participants also rated their personal observed results as follows:

  • Vitamin B12 cream side efficacy: Very good (4%), good (55%), moderate (30%), poor (11%)
  • Placebo cream side efficacy: Very good (2%), good (11%), moderate (76%), poor (11%)

The investigating physician rated observed results as follows:

  • Vitamin B12 cream side efficacy: Very good (0%), good (58%), moderate (36%), poor (6%)
  • Placebo cream side efficacy: Very good (0%), good (11%), moderate (83%), poor (6%)

In conclusion, topical vitamin B12 cream improved eczema signs and symptoms in participants (1).  The B12 cream was well tolerated without any severe side effects and researchers reported it should be considered as a new therapeutic approach in eczema (1).  Further research should be conducted over a longer period of time with more participants to determine if long-term use of a vitamin B12 cream can improve signs and symptoms further.

Source: Stücker, M., et al. “Topical vitamin B12—a new therapeutic approach in atopic dermatitis—evaluation of efficacy and tolerability in a randomized placebo‐controlled multicentre clinical trial.” British Journal of Dermatology 150.5 (2004): 977-983.

© 2004 British Association of Dermatologists

 Posted April 18, 2013.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health.  She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians.  Visit her website at  www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Stucker M, et al.  Topical vitamin B12, a new therapeutic approach in atopic dermatitis, evaluation of efficacy and tolerability in a randomized placebo-controlled multicentre clinical trial.  2004 Brit J Dermatol 150: 977-983.
  2. Shaw TE, et al.  Eczema prevalence in the United States: date from the 2003 National Survey of children’s health.  2011 J Invest Dermatol 131 (1): 67-73.
  3. Rowe A, et al. Constitutive endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase in inflammatory dermatoses. Br J Dermatol 1997; 136: 18–23.