Could Your Salt Shaker Be Causing Your Itchy Skin?

This Common Kitchen Ingredient Might Raise Your Chances of Developing Eczema By 22%

Could your daily pinch of salt be behind those frustrating eczema flare-ups? According to a groundbreaking study from UC San Francisco, that savory seasoning might be more than just a flavor enhancer—it could be a culprit in your battle against dry, itchy skin.

Published in JAMA Dermatology, the study unveils a startling revelation: a mere extra gram of sodium per day, equivalent to what you'd find in a Big Mac, increases your likelihood of experiencing an eczema flare by a staggering 22%.

"Eczema flares can be difficult for patients to cope with," explains Dr. Katrina Abuabara, the study's corresponding author and associate professor of dermatology at UCSF. "Especially when they are unable to anticipate them and don’t have recommendations on what they can do to avoid them."

The research, conducted on over 215,000 UK residents aged 30 to 70, examined urine samples and medical records to correlate sodium intake with eczema severity. Astonishingly, each additional gram of sodium excreted in urine over 24 hours correlated with an 11% higher chance of an eczema diagnosis, a 16% greater likelihood of active flare-ups, and an 11% increased risk of more severe symptoms.

But the implications don't stop there. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the U.S. further solidified these findings. Analyzing 13,000 American adults, researchers found that consuming just one extra gram of sodium daily increased the risk of an active eczema case by a substantial 22%.

With 31 million Americans affected by eczema at some point in their lives, this study underscores the critical need to rethink our salt intake. Dr. Abuabara urges, "Most Americans eat too much salt and can safely reduce their intake to recommended levels."

So, the next time you reach for that salt shaker, consider this: could less salt mean more comfort for your skin? It might just be worth a try.