Infant eczema is a common skin condition, affecting around 1 in 5 young children. Eczema is linked to childhood asthma and food allergies and many theories have been proposed to explain the development of atopic eczema.

One of these theories suggests that the microflora in the gastrointestinal system of infants influences immune system activity, thereby triggering or contributing to skin reactions and allergy symptoms. A significant amount of research backs up this theory, including a recent review that adds weight to the idea that prebiotic supplementation of infant formula or breast milk can help in preventing eczema in infants up to 2 years old. Continue reading →