Reviewed by Jessie, BSc Biomedical Science · Formulation Lead, Purest Kids
TL;DR — Maternal fish oil in pregnancy is linked to lower eczema and egg-allergy risk in infants, per a Cochrane review. For children who already have eczema, omega-3 trials show mixed but often modest severity reductions. Children with eczema consistently show lower omega-3 status — the direction of cause remains under active investigation.
Why eczema and omega-3 are connected
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is an inflammatory skin condition — the most common chronic skin disease in children, affecting an estimated 15–20% of children in Singapore. Because omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are known to influence inflammatory pathways, the question of whether they affect eczema risk and severity is a natural one.
The prevention evidence
Several studies have examined whether omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy or early infancy reduces the risk of a child developing eczema. A Cochrane review of randomised trials found that fish oil supplementation in pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of eczema and egg allergy in infants. The mechanisms involve omega-3's influence on the developing immune system and its role in maintaining skin barrier integrity — DHA and EPA are incorporated into skin cell membranes and influence the production of lipids that form the skin's protective barrier.
The treatment evidence
For children who already have eczema, the evidence on omega-3 supplementation is more modest. Some trials have found reductions in eczema severity scores with omega-3 supplementation; others have found no significant effect. The variability in results likely reflects differences in study populations, doses, and baseline omega-3 status.
The most consistent finding is that children with eczema tend to have lower omega-3 status than children without it — though whether this is cause, effect, or correlation remains an active area of research.
What this means for parents of children with eczema
Omega-3 supplementation is not a treatment for eczema and should not replace medical management. For children with eczema who are also likely to be omega-3 deficient — which describes many children on typical Singaporean diets — ensuring adequate intake is a reasonable nutritional consideration, not a cure. Speak with a paediatrician or dermatologist about your child's specific situation.
Omega-3 Mango Burstlets — algae-sourced, 450mg DHA per serve →
References
- Gunaratne AW, et al. "Maternal prenatal and/or postnatal n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation for preventing allergies in early childhood." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015.
- Bath-Hextall FJ, et al. "Dietary supplements for established atopic eczema." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012.
- Puglia C, et al. "Evaluation of the skin-penetration of topical formulations containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids." Drug Delivery, 2012.