Does Taking Probiotic Supplements Help Children With Eczema?

Among all babies whose parents and siblings do not have allergies, about 15% of them may have allergic diseases. The percentage goes up to 20% to 30% if they have an allergic first-degree relative.

It has been found that our intestinal microbiota may influence immunologic and inflammatory response and, therefore, affect sensitization and allergy. 

Probiotics have been reported to modulate immune responses. Many probiotic supplements on the market claim to benefit children with allergic diseases such as eczema.  Just how effective are they?

First of all, let’s understand what probiotics are. They are living microorganisms. You can find probiotics in many foods nowadays (yogurt, chocolate, certain drinks, supplements, etc.). What do probiotics do? It was proposed that when we lose beneficial bacteria in our body (after taking antibiotics, for instance), probiotics can help replace them. Also, they can help balance the bacteria in our body so they can work as it should.

The World Allergy Organization (WAO) has published an interesting article in 2015 summarizing the key findings of probiotics supplementation.      

What they've shown is that currently, available evidence does NOT indicate that probiotic supplementation reduces the risk of developing allergies in children. However, the WAO guideline panel determined that there is a likely net benefit from using probiotics resulting primarily from the prevention of eczema.

The WAO guideline panel has three suggestions:

1) using probiotics in pregnant women at high risk for having an allergic child;

2) using probiotics in women who breastfeed infants at high risk of developing allergy;

3) using probiotics in infants at high risk of developing an allergy.

These suggestions are based on limited evidence and clinical studies. Further research must be carried out to fully understand the functions of probiotics and their potential benefits in preventing eczema or other allergy diseases in children.