Topical CBD and Skin Conditions: Research on Hives and Eczema

Itchy welts, dry and cracked patches, or scaly plaques... Skin conditions such as hives, eczema and psoriasis can last a long time, disrupt sleep and make daily life harder. Many people who use treatments for a long time are also curious about CBD gels and creams applied to the skin. In this article, we explain what CBD applied to the skin has shown in research on these three conditions, which questions are still unanswered, and what you can talk about with your doctor.

What are hives, eczema and psoriasis?

• Urticaria (hives): These are itchy, raised red welts or deeper swellings that suddenly appear on the skin. They are caused by substances released by mast cells in the skin. About 20% of people have acute hives at least once in their lifetime; long-lasting (chronic) hives can noticeably affect quality of life (Zuberbier 2022).
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis): A long-term condition with dryness, intense itching and inflamed patches that flare from time to time.
• Psoriasis: An inflammatory condition in which skin cells multiply faster than usual, forming thick, scaly patches.

Why are people curious about topical CBD?

Our skin has a system that works with the body's own cannabinoid-like substances (the endocannabinoid system). Disruption of this system is thought to be linked to conditions such as eczema and psoriasis (Río 2018). CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound from cannabis that does not make you high; in the lab, it reduced inflammation and slowed the excessive growth of skin cells. These findings opened the way for testing CBD applied to the skin in these conditions.

What does the research say?

Eczema

In the best-known study, people with eczema were randomly assigned to three groups: a cream containing CBD and aspartame, a CBD-only cream, or an inactive cream (placebo). After two weeks, the share of people whose skin was clear or almost clear was 50% in the CBD+aspartame group, 20% in the CBD-only group and 15% in the inactive cream group. A clear difference was seen only with the CBD+aspartame cream (Gao 2022). A 44-person study of a cream containing both ginger extract and CBD also reported an improvement in symptoms, but the effect cannot be separated between the two ingredients (Neubauer 2024).

In an analysis that combined studies (a meta-analysis), there was no clear difference in eczema scores between people who used cannabis and cannabinoid products and those who did not; a small reduction in itching was seen (Sermsaksasithorn 2025).

Psoriasis

In a controlled study of 28 people with psoriasis, participants took CBD oil or an inactive oil by mouth. There was no clear improvement in the disease score (PASI) in the CBD group; at week 8, itching decreased and the time it took to fall asleep was shorter for a while, but this effect did not last. Side effects were mild to moderate and similar between the groups (Roongpisuthipong 2026). We could not find a study comparing CBD applied to the skin with an inactive cream in psoriasis.

Hives

We could not find a human study of CBD in hives (PubMed search, October 2026). There is an international guideline for diagnosing and treating hives (Zuberbier 2022); treatment is planned with a doctor based on the type and cause of the hives.

Products containing THC

There are very few controlled skin studies of products containing THC (the compound in cannabis that makes you high). In Brazil, a study is underway in 37 people with psoriasis using a cannabis extract containing equal amounts of CBD, CBG (another cannabinoid in cannabis) and THC, taken by mouth and applied as a cream (NCT07839455).

CBD gels used for pain

CBD gels applied to the skin are also used for pain, and the results here are conflicting. There are small studies reporting positive results in arthritis at the base of the thumb (18 people) and in jaw joint muscle pain (60 people); after knee replacement surgery (80 people) and in muscle soreness after exercise (28 people), there was no clear difference compared with an inactive product (Heineman 2022; Nitecka-Buchta 2019; Haffar 2022; Pastina 2025). Details are on our topical CBD and pain page.

Treatments with known effects

For eczema, there are strong recommendations for treatments such as moisturizers, corticosteroid creams and calcineurin inhibitor creams (Sidbury 2023). Your dermatologist will decide which of these treatments is right for you.

Possible side effects and drug interactions

CBD products applied to the skin were generally well tolerated in studies. However, in conditions such as eczema and psoriasis the skin may be more sensitive; fragrances, preservatives and plant extracts in a product can cause irritation or allergy. With some products, CBD can also pass through the skin into the blood. Details are in our article CBD oil and the skin: side effects. CBD taken by mouth can slow the breakdown of some medicines in the body; if you take medicines by mouth for psoriasis or eczema, see our drug interactions page.

How was it used in studies?

Below are the forms used in studies (study doses; not a personal recommendation):

• Eczema: CBD-only cream, 14 days; the CBD concentration is not given in the abstract (Gao 2022).
• Psoriasis: 60 mg of CBD oil per day by mouth (Roongpisuthipong 2026).
• Arthritis at the base of the thumb: cream containing 6.2 mg of CBD per mL, 1 mL twice a day, 2 weeks (Heineman 2022).

If you are thinking about using CBD

You can talk with your dermatologist about:

• How well your current treatment is working and, if needed, what other options are available.
• Whether it is appropriate to use a CBD product in addition to this treatment, and on which areas it can be applied.
• All the medicines you take, if you are considering CBD by mouth.

Always talk to your doctor before replacing or stopping a prescription treatment with a CBD product.

In Turkey, cannabis-derived products, including CBD, may be sold only in pharmacies (Law No. 7557, regulation of January 31, 2026). Those classed as medicines or health products are dispensed with a prescription; no prescription requirement is stated for supplement products with a THC content of no more than 0.3% or for cosmetics (personal care products). As of October 2026, there is no approved (licensed) CBD medicine in Turkey. Details are on our regulations page.

Conclusion

CBD applied to the skin draws interest because of its effects on inflammation and cell growth in the lab. In people, however, CBD-only products have not yet shown a clear difference in eczema and psoriasis, and there are no studies at all in hives. For now, the most consistent finding is a small reduction in itching, and new studies are ongoing. An up-to-date summary of the evidence is on our skin conditions and CBD page.

Frequently asked questions

References