Globally, eczema is increasing with related increases in health expenses with decrease in quality of life. Many factors are considered that interact in the development of eczema which includes genetics and environmental exposures. Preventing the development of eczema can further prevent the development of food allergies as well as asthma. This perception has provoked a range of research into the primary prevention of eczema, especially in infants. The evaluation also includes an increasing body of research investigating infants who are supplemented with probiotics, prebiotics, or both (synbiotics), often compared with their breastfed counterparts.

The objective of this study is to observe the evidence of influence of the microbiome in the control and prevention of eczema. Numerous strains of probiotics, compositions of prebiotics, and various combinations of both are available commercially. Data had supported that altering the microbiome is beneficial in infants at high risk of atopy and who are unable to breastfeed, with Lactobacillus strains, especially when given prenatally, followed by prolonged use for more than 6 months postnatally, in the primary prevention of eczema.

Also, prebiotics have shown to be beneficial for primary prevention of eczema in formula-fed infants with prolonged use for more than 6 months. The findings are in accordance with the World Allergy Organization (WAO) recommendations that support interventions to use the microbiome with both probiotics and prebiotics.

Szari S, Quinn JA. Supporting a Healthy Microbiome for the Primary Prevention of Eczema. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2019;57(2):286‐293. doi:10.1007/s12016-019-08758-5