The role of nutrition in dermatologic diseases: facts and controversies.

Many dermatologic diseases are chronic with no definitive cure. For some diseases, the etiology is not completely understood, with treatment being difficult and associated with side effects. In such cases, patients may try alternative treatments to prevent onset, reduce symptom severity, or prevent reoccurrence of a disease. Dietary modification, through supplementation and exclusion, is an extremely popular treatment modality for patients with dermatologic conditions. It is, therefore, important for dermatologists to be aware of the growing body of literature pertaining to nutrition and skin disease to appropriately inform patients on benefits and harms of specific dietary interventions. We address the role of nutrition in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and bullous diseases and specific dietary modifications as an adjunct or alternative to conventional therapy.

Nutrition and bullous skin diseases.

Autoimmune and nonautoimmune bullous diseases can both be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases has increased tremendously, there is still much to learn about the various factors affecting their onset, course, and therapy. In recent years, increasing information has been published about the effect of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients on bullous skin diseases. Some factors are believed to be inducers (thiol and phenol-containing foods in pemphigus), whereas others are believed to be protective (antioxidants in cutaneous porphyrias). This contribution reviews the evidence in the literature of the role of various dietary factors in bullous diseases, including the nonautoimmune and the deficiency dermatoses. Additional studies and new investigations are needed to provide a better understanding of the specific associations of dietary factors with bullous diseases and better management for patients affected by these conditions.