Many people with eczema have noticed a possible link between low iron levels and eczema flare-ups. However, it’s still unclear whether eczema is directly related to anemia, a condition in which the body has too few healthy red blood cells.

“I remember when I took iron, my skin got the clearest I’ve had it since I started having hand eczema,” one MyEczemaTeam member reported.

Another member said, “I’m wondering if the low iron is causing the eczema to be so bad, like with my other symptoms.”

Read on to learn more about the possible connection between iron-deficiency anemia — the most common type of anemia — and eczema.

“I’m wondering if the low iron is causing the eczema to be so bad, like with my other symptoms.”
— A MyEczemaTeam member

What Is Anemia?

Anemia occurs when your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells or those cells don’t work properly. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If you don’t have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin, your body may not get the oxygen it needs, leading to symptoms of anemia. Common symptoms include:

• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• A pounding or “whooshing” sound in your ears
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Headaches
• Cold, pale, or yellowish skin

Although a rash isn’t a common symptom, it can happen. Two types of anemia — iron-deficiency anemia and aplastic anemia — can sometimes cause rashes, which may be mistaken for eczema.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia Rash

Iron deficiency is responsible for about half of all anemia cases worldwide. Your body needs iron to make new blood cells. If your iron levels aren’t high enough, your body can’t produce enough blood cells. Iron-deficiency anemia can be caused by:

• Lack of iron in your diet
• Gastrointestinal conditions such as colitis and Crohn’s disease, which affect iron absorption and cause blood loss
• Blood loss from menstruation, surgery, or injury

Does Low Iron Cause Itchy Skin?

Some people with iron-deficiency anemia develop itchy skin. Scratching can make your skin sore, bumpy, and inflamed. Researchers don’t know why this rash happens, but it could be related to skin thinning caused by low iron levels.

Iron-deficiency anemia is usually treated with iron supplements and dietary changes. Helpful foods include:

• Meats such as beef, ham, lamb, and liver
• Poultry including chicken, turkey, and duck, especially dark meat
• Seafood, including shrimp, anchovies, sardines, tuna, and oysters
• Vegetables like spinach, string beans, broccoli, and kale
• Legumes including lima beans, peas, pinto beans, lentils, and black-eyed peas
• Grain-based foods enriched with iron, such as breads, pasta, and cereal
• Fruits including strawberries, dates, prunes, and dried apricots and peaches

Most multivitamins don’t contain enough iron to treat anemia. Oral iron supplements can be purchased over the counter or prescribed, but you should speak with your healthcare provider and get their guidance before starting supplements. In severe cases of iron deficiency, iron may be given intravenously (into a vein).

Does Taking Iron Help With Itchy Skin?

Some people with iron-deficiency anemia notice that their itchy skin improves after taking iron supplements. This may occur because higher iron levels help the skin heal and reduce inflammation. However, itchy skin can have many causes, so it’s important not to self-diagnose. If you have persistent itching, talk to your doctor to see if low iron could be a factor and whether iron therapy might help.

Aplastic Anemia Rash

Aplastic anemia affects the bone marrow — the soft, spongy tissue inside your bones that makes blood cells. In this condition, the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough blood cells. Aplastic anemia is often caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the bone marrow.

This condition is very rare — only about 1 to 6 out of every 1 million people develop it each year, according to Cleveland Clinic.

One symptom of aplastic anemia is a rash made of small dots called petechiae, which may look red or purple on lighter skin and dark brown or black on darker skin. Petechiae usually don’t itch or hurt, but they can be alarming. This rash indicates a lack of platelets, which help blood clot. Without enough of these blood cells, tiny blood vessels under the skin can burst open and bleed, causing pinpoint dots.

Treatments for aplastic anemia include medication to protect the bone marrow. Blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants may also be used.

Anemia and Eczema: Is There a Link?

Rashes caused by iron-deficiency anemia or aplastic anemia may resemble eczema, but they’re not the same as eczema. However, research suggests a link between anemia and eczema.

One study of almost 850,000 children found an association between iron-deficiency anemia and atopic diseases (inflammatory skin conditions), including atopic dermatitis — the most common form of eczema. Another study using data on nearly 237,000 children found that those with eczema were more likely to have anemia, especially if they also had asthma.

A large study involving almost 1.5 million people in the South Korean medical system found that iron-deficiency anemia and other types of anemia were more common in people with atopic diseases. The researchers also found that the more atopic conditions a person had, the more likely they were to have anemia.

There are several possible reasons for the connection between anemia and eczema:

• Restrictive diets used to prevent eczema flare-ups may lead to low iron intake.
• Genetic factors may increase the risk of both conditions.
• Iron deficiency may weaken the immune system in ways that could trigger eczema flare-ups.

According to one study, iron deficiency slows the development of certain immune cells but allows the growth of cells linked to allergic reactions. Iron deficiency may also affect mast cells — immune cells involved in allergic responses. Iron-containing proteins can help prevent activation of these mast cells.

Can a Vitamin Deficiency Cause Eczema?

Have you ever wondered if vitamin deficiencies directly cause eczema? Some nutrients, like vitamins A and C, help your body absorb iron. If you don’t get enough vitamin C, your iron levels may drop, which could affect your skin.

Small studies have shown that low iron status may be linked to eczema in children. This may be because iron plays a role in how well the immune system works. We still need more research to know if not getting enough nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin D raises the risk of eczema. However, eating a healthy, balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals is good for your skin and overall health.

What Conditions Can Be Linked to Eczema?

People with eczema often have other health conditions too, including:

• Allergic rhinitis (a type of nasal allergy)
• Food allergies
• Asthma
• Hay fever

All these are linked to chronic (ongoing) inflammation and may be signs that the immune system is overactive or not working properly.

Even though eczema affects the skin, it can be connected to other health issues. Taking care of your overall health may help you better manage this skin condition.

Even though eczema affects the skin, it can be connected to other health issues.

Take Steps To Boost Your Health

Eczema is linked to a higher risk of iron-deficiency anemia. As a chronic condition, eczema is associated with immune system activity that may affect red blood cell levels. Reducing your risk of iron-deficiency anemia could also help lower your risk of eczema flare-ups.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia. Your doctor may recommend eating more iron-rich foods or starting an iron supplement such as ferrous sulfate.

Some MyEczemaTeam members have found that boosting their iron intake helped their eczema symptoms. “I started taking iron supplements,” one member said. “Hey, presto! My eczema improved. I now take iron twice a week or when the itching increases.”

It’s important to talk with your doctor before starting any supplement. If they recommend one, be sure to follow their guidance. Iron supplements should be taken on an empty stomach.

Keep in mind that iron supplements can cause side effects, such as:

• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dark stool (poop)

Getting more iron than your body needs can be harmful. Iron tablets may also interfere with other medications, including tetracycline, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and Parkinson’s disease treatments. To avoid interactions, always let your doctor know about any medications or supplements you’re taking.

Communicate With Your Doctor

Managing eczema means caring for your skin and your overall health — and that includes making sure your body has enough iron. If you suspect a deficiency, talk with your healthcare provider. With the right guidance, improving your iron levels may not only boost your energy but also help keep your eczema symptoms in check.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyEczemaTeam, the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

Have you experienced anemia? Did treating it help your eczema outbreaks? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.