July 5, 2007 – Probiotics have no preventive effect against childhood eczema. However, they would have a favorable effect on the antibodies associated with eczema, more particularly in children whose mothers have allergies.
Eczema |
This is what a Swedish study reveals1 done with 188 pregnant women who had a family history of allergy2. The participants received, from the 36e week of pregnancy, or capsules containing the bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri or a placebo. For 12 months after childbirth, women and children received the same treatment daily.
No real difference was observed between children at the age of two. About 35% had eczema in both groups.
The percentage of children to have antibodies associated with eczema – immunoglobulin E (IgE) – was however lower in the probiotic group: 8% compared to 20% in the placebo group. You should know that it is immunoglobulins E that are involved in allergic reactions.
The children were also tested for skin allergies. Reactions were less numerous in the probiotic group (31%), especially in children whose mothers had allergies (14%). According to the authors, the anti-inflammatory properties of the bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri would explain these results.
Emmanuelle Bergeron and Julie Fortier – PasseportSanté.net
1. Abrahamsson TR, Jakobsson T et al, Probiotics in prevention of IgE-associated eczema: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007 May; 119 (5): 1174-80.
2. At least one family member must have either eczema, asthma, gastrointestinal food allergies, some form of urticaria or allergic rhinitis.