When eczema keeps returning, it is natural to look for a longer-term solution. Many people first try products that promise fast relief from itching, dryness or irritation. Others begin to wonder whether their symptoms could be connected to something beyond the skin, including the gut microbiome.
So, can probiotics improve eczema? And could a gut microbiome test provide useful information about what to try?
What should eczema care include?
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause dryness, itching, redness, cracking and discomfort. Scratching may provide brief relief, but it can further damage the skin and reinforce the itch–scratch cycle. Flares can also affect sleep, concentration and emotional wellbeing.
Long-term eczema management usually focuses on protecting the skin barrier, managing inflammation and identifying individual triggers. Moisturisers and emollients help hydrate and support the skin barrier, while appropriate topical treatments can help manage active inflammation. A healthcare professional can help confirm the diagnosis, recommend suitable treatment and develop a plan for recurring or severe symptoms.
Finding the right products and routine can take time. What works for one person may not work in exactly the same way for another, which is why consistent care and professional guidance remain important.
Why are probiotics being studied?
The gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract. It interacts with digestion, metabolism and immune function, so researchers are investigating whether it may also be connected to inflammatory skin conditions.
Because eczema involves immune and inflammatory processes, some studies have examined whether people with atopic dermatitis have different gut microbiome patterns from people without the condition. This proposed connection is often referred to as the gut–skin axis.
However, finding a difference between groups does not prove that the gut microbiome caused one person’s eczema. It also does not prove that changing the microbiome will improve that person’s skin. The relationship may involve several factors, including genetics, the skin barrier, immune responses, environment, diet and previous treatments.
What have probiotic studies found?
Research suggests that some probiotic or synbiotic products may improve eczema severity in certain groups, but the results are not consistent enough to conclude that probiotics work for everyone. Effects can vary according to the specific strain, dose, treatment duration, age group, baseline microbiome and eczema severity. A 2023 systematic review of probiotic studies in adults reported possible improvements in eczema severity, but also found substantial variation between studies and insufficient evidence to determine the ideal dose or duration.
One example is a 2023 study from Southern China involving 24 children with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Participants took a synbiotic formula containing multiple probiotics and prebiotics for eight weeks. The researchers reported an improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index scores, alongside changes in bacteria including Bacteroides fragilis and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
These findings are interesting, but they should be interpreted cautiously. The study was small and did not include a placebo or untreated comparison group. Everyone received the same synbiotic formula, so the results cannot establish whether the improvement came from the probiotic strains, the prebiotics, other aspects of care or the natural course of eczema. Since the participants were children, the findings also cannot automatically be applied to adults.
Other research has examined the gut microbiome before eczema develops. In one prospective infant cohort, differences in gut microbiota were observed before the onset of eczema, including lower levels of Bacteroides among infants who later developed the condition. This suggests that the gut microbiome may be involved in early immune and skin development, but it does not show that changing these bacteria would prevent eczema in every child.
Taken together, the evidence is promising but preliminary. Probiotics may have a supportive role for some people, but they should not be viewed as a replacement for established eczema care. Current research does not identify one universally effective probiotic, and the word “probiotic” alone does not tell you whether a product will be suitable or effective.
A single-strain product may not have the same effects as a multi-strain product. A probiotic combined with prebiotics may also behave differently from a probiotic taken alone. Results from children may not apply to adults, and findings from one product cannot automatically be applied to another product simply because both contain probiotics.
Could personalised gut-health insights help?
For people exploring probiotics, the main takeaway is that there may not be one approach that suits everyone. Responses can differ according to the product’s strains, dose, duration of use and an individual’s existing gut microbiome.
This is where personalised gut-health strategies may offer another source of information. GUTolution’s gut microbiome test provides insights into an individual’s gut profile to support more informed gut-health and probiotic decisions.
Curious about your gut–skin connection?
Research into the gut–skin axis is continuing, and studies suggest that the gut microbiome may be connected to immune function and skin health. However, probiotics do not work in the same way for everyone, and they should not replace established eczema care.
If recurring eczema has made you curious about your gut health, GUTolution can help you take a more personalised look at your microbiome. Our testing provides insights into your individual gut profile, while our probiotic customisation service offers a formulation designed around your profile and gut-health goals.
The test and customised probiotics are intended to support general gut health. They are not intended to diagnose or treat eczema, and they cannot guarantee that a particular probiotic will improve your symptoms or work best for you.
Explore your gut microbiome with GUTolution and discover a more personalised approach to your gut-health routine.
Start with Gut Microbiome Test Pro →
References:
1. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Atopic dermatitis clinical guideline. Updated 2023 guideline information. https://www.aad.org/member/clinical-quality/guidelines/atopic-dermatitis
2. De Pessemier, B., Grine, L., Debaere, M., Maes, A., Paetzold, B., & Callewaert, C. (2021). Gut–skin axis: Current knowledge of the interrelationship between microbial dysbiosis and skin conditions. Microorganisms, 9(2), 353. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9020353
3. Husein-ElAhmed, H., & Steinhoff, M. (2024). Effects of probiotic supplementation in adult with atopic dermatitis: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 49(1), 46–52. https://doi.org/10.1093/ced/llad318
4. Leung, T. F., et al. (2023). Improvements in gut microbiome composition predict the clinical efficacy of a novel synbiotics formula in children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Microorganisms, 11(9), 2175. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092175
5. Li, et al. (2023). Development of the early-life gut microbiome and associations with eczema in a prospective Chinese cohort. mSystems. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00521-23
[Author: Chloe Chan]
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