Vitamin D has been shown to be effective in treating skin rashes resulting from chemical exposure, scientists from Northwestern Medicine have found. In a double randomized trial. The results are published in the journal JCI Insight.
The scientists analyzed tissue samples from 28 healthy participants: the skin of their hands on the inside of their arms was exposed to a small amount of nitrogen mustard, a drug with irritant properties. While the substance was being applied, the subjects’ skin became covered in a rash. Afterwards, one portion of the volunteers was given high doses of vitamin D, and the other was given a placebo.
The skin tissues of the participants who received the vitamin showed less irritation and inflammation than in the second group. The experts further analyzed skin and blood samples. It turned out that participants in the vitamin D group suppressed pro-inflammatory IL-17 signaling pathways. This confirms the possibility of using IL-17 as a biomarker of severe reactions to topical chemotherapy and other drugs.
The results are consistent with the findings of previous studies. Future studies are planned to further investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of oral vitamin D supplements in the treatment of rashes caused by other treatments and drugs.
