Probiotics are ineffective on eczema , a report says

Evidence suggests that useful bacterium found in health drinks and yoghurt are ineffective on eczema symptoms and can also cause gut problems occasionally.

The researchers reviewed 12 studies that comprised around 800 children who had eczema. In researchers found that in these children probiotics didn’t prove effective to ease itching and the rash.

In some separate studies, some side effects like infection and bowel damage were also reported in 46 patients. According to the experts, further trials are needed to know about the long-term safety of their use.Almost one out of 20 people becomes the victim of eczema at some stage of their lives and the disease is quite common in children. In UK, every fifth children has mild or severe forms of eczema.

Dr. Robert Boyle, who carried out the review for the Cochrane Collaboration, said: “There isn’t any evidence that shows probitics are an effective treatment for eczema. Contrarily, it may prove harmful for certain groups of people like young infants and those who are susceptible to infection.”

“But it’s possible that new probiotics that haven’t been studied yet may prove effective,” he added.

Evidence is emerging that probiotics may prove effective to prevent eczema if they are taken in pregnancy or in the very first week after birth.

Professor Ashley Woodcock from Manchester University is carrying out his own study to know the effects of probiotics on eczema risk in children.