Sulfur for eczema: Does it help?

Is sulfur good for eczema?

Some people report that sulfur-containing products help reduce their eczema symptoms. So far, though, the only evidence supporting its use is anecdotal.

Sulfur for eczema: Does it help?

Dermatologists sometimes recommend sulfur for treating other inflammatory skin conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, and acne. People have also used sulfur and other minerals to treat skin conditions historically. The practice has origins dating back to Persia, as the physician Ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna, first described using the technique.

Bathing in hot springs was another historical remedy for skin conditions such as eczema. Some scientists believe that this may be due to the mineral content of certain thermal waters, many of which include sulfur.

A 2017 animal study found that mineral-rich spring water reduced eczema-like inflammation in mice. However, so far, there are no studies that examine sulfur’s impact on eczema in humans specifically.