While such as vitamins A, C and E may be known for maintaining healthy skin, a new study is suggesting that a lack of omega-6 fatty acids may be linked to severe dermatitis.
According to researchers from the University of Illinois, a specific omega-6 fatty acid known as arachidonic acid may lead to excessive itching. Researchers studied mice and found that when they knocked out the gene responsible for making the arachidonic acid, the mice developed severe ulcerative dermatitis.
After the scientists noted the development of the condition, they gave the mice the omega-6 fatty acid and noticed that the itching had subsided.
“Knocking out a gene that enables the body to make the delta-6-desaturase enzyme has led to some surprising discoveries. In this instance, we learned that arachidonic acid is essential for healthy skin function,” said researcher Manabu Nakamura.
Nakamura suggested that one way to obtain the nutrient is by incorporating vegetable oil into ones diet. The researchers are confident that this development could lead to potential new treatments if more research is conducted.