Vitamin D and skin diseases: A review

The 2014 review "Vitamin D and skin diseases" discussed the significant role of Vitamin D in skin health, particularly in relation to psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo. Vitamin D, mainly obtained from sunlight and certain foods, was found to regulate the growth and differentiation of keratinocytes, the main cell type in the skin, and to have immunomodulatory effects. In psoriasis, Vitamin D inhibited keratinocyte proliferation and induced their differentiation, reducing inflammation and reversing some changes in psoriatic lesions. Topical Vitamin D analogs were effective in treating psoriasis. For atopic dermatitis, Vitamin D potentially suppressed inflammatory responses and enhanced antimicrobial activity. In vitiligo, a deficiency in 25(OH)D, a form of Vitamin D, may contribute to the disease, and topical Vitamin D analogs were used effectively in treatment. The review also noted that Vitamin D deficiency was common in India, contrary to popular belief. The document concluded that further research was needed to fully understand the relationship between Vitamin D levels and various skin diseases.