Written based on 27 research studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11..
The claim
Posts online say that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helps with atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Where research stands
We found 39 published papers on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and atopic dermatitis (eczema). They were published between 1987 and 2026. 11 of them are studies in people. 9 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 10 were studies in animals, and 1 was only in cells in the lab. 6 papers are reviews that sum up other studies. 3 new studies in people are running or will start soon, say the trial registers.
- 11In people9 with a comparison group
- 10In animals
- 1Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) has been tested in randomised trials in people with atopic dermatitis (eczema).
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Clinical Outcome of Atopic Dermatitis in Children.2024 · Nutrients · Randomised trial
- Prenatal Fish Oil Supplementation, Maternal COX1 Genotype, and Childhood Atopic Dermatitis: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.2024 · JAMA Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Maternal fish oil and/or probiotics intervention: Allergic diseases in children up to two years old.2023 · Pediatr Allergy Immunol · Randomised trial
- Evaluating the Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid in Children With Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Triple-Blind Clinical Trial.2023 · J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther · Randomised trial
- Docosahexaenoic Acid Effect on Prenatal Exposure to Arsenic and Atopic Dermatitis in Mexican Preschoolers.2023 · Biol Trace Elem Res · Randomised trial
- Allergic disease in infants up to 2 years of age in relation to plasma omega-3 fatty acids and maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation.2011 · Pediatr Allergy Immunol · Randomised trial
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.2008 · Br J Dermatol · Randomised trial
- Fish oil supplementation in pregnancy modifies neonatal allergen-specific immune responses and clinical outcomes in infants at high risk of atopy: a randomized, controlled trial.2003 · J Allergy Clin Immunol · Randomised trial
- Open trial of supplements of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in atopic dermatitis.2006 · J Dermatolog Treat · Study in people
- The effect of a newly developed ointment containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.1999 · J Med Invest · Study in people
- Effect of Prenatal Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Childhood Eczema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.2023 · Int Arch Allergy Immunol · Review
- Can Early Omega-3 Fatty Acid Exposure Reduce Risk of Childhood Allergic Disease?2017 · Nutrients · Review
- Omega-3 long-chain PUFA intake during pregnancy and allergic disease outcomes in the offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials.2016 · Am J Clin Nutr · Review
- Do long-chain omega-3 fatty acids protect from atopic dermatitis?2015 · J Dtsch Dermatol Ges · Review
- The effect of perinatal omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on inflammatory markers and allergic diseases: a systematic review.2011 · BJOG · Review
- Omega 3 and 6 oils for primary prevention of allergic disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.2009 · Allergy · Review
- Eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester ameliorates atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in special diet-fed hairless mice, partly by restoring covalently bound ceramides in the stratum corneum.2018 · Exp Dermatol · In animals
- Docosahexaenoic Acid Alleviates Atopic Dermatitis by Generating Tregs and IL-10/TGF-β-Modified Macrophages via a TGF-β-Dependent Mechanism.2015 · J Invest Dermatol · In animals
- Omega-3 fatty acid-derived mediator, Resolvin E1, ameliorates 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.2012 · Int Immunopharmacol · In animals
- Fermented fish oil suppresses T helper 1/2 cell response in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis via generation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells.2012 · BMC Immunol · In animals
- Analysis of epidermal lipids in normal and atopic dogs, before and after administration of an oral omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid feed supplement. A pilot study.2011 · Vet Res Commun · In animals
- Dietary docosahexaenoic acid in combination with arachidonic acid ameliorates allergen-induced dermatitis in mice.2011 · Pediatr Allergy Immunol · In animals
- Alterations of mast cell mediator production and release by gamma-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acid.2004 · Vet Dermatol · In the lab
- Investigating Atopic Dermatitis Prevention With Omega-3 Supplementation in Different Ethnic Populations.2026 · J Clin Aesthet Dermatol · Other paper
- Evaluating the Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Genetic Susceptibility on Atopic Dermatitis in Adults.2025 · Mol Nutr Food Res · Other paper
- TNFSF14 mediates the impact of docosahexaenoic acid on atopic dermatitis: a Mendelian randomization study.2024 · Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · Other paper
- Prenatal Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Childhood Atopic Dermatitis.2020 · J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · Other paper
