Can I Use Probiotics for Eczema?
When you have a skin condition like eczema, you’re always looking for ways to minimize the symptoms because, let’s face it, no one wants to have unsightly skin irritations. Even more than that, no one wants skin that can be uncomfortable and at times even painful. If you’re looking for answers as to what will help with your eczema, know that you’re not alone. More than 31.6 million people in the U.S alone have eczema which works out to just over 10%.1 That’s a lot! It’s not surprising that people are looking for different solutions to their skin problems like using probiotics for eczema, hopeful that this might be the answer to their itchy and inflamed skin. But is it?
The Link Between Eczema and Our Immune System
In order to understand why probiotics might be a way to help with symptoms of eczema, let’s look at what causes eczema in the first place. While there are different types of eczema, what studies have found is that people with eczema are more likely to have an overactive immune system that is triggered by various factors and results in inflammation.2 While external factors can trigger the skin to become irritated – also known as contact dermatitis – it is ultimately the immune system that overreacts and causes such a severe reaction that results in the tell-tale signs of red, itchy, scaly and cracked skin.
Why Use Probiotics to Treat Eczema?
Because eczema is found to be linked to our immune system, it makes sense to try to tackle this skin condition from the inside.
One simple way to help support your immune system is to balance the bacteria in your gut.3 Our digestive system is filled with an array of good and bad bacteria and probiotics are considered the good kind that help keep your digestive system healthy.
With this in mind, some good sources of probiotics are yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, raw cheese, apple cider vinegar and dark chocolate!4You can also get probiotics in supplement form.
Because probiotics are believed to help boost our immune system, some people have found that it has helped with minimizing eczema flare-ups. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough evidence to support this claim yet because it isn’t clear whether it is just the probiotics that helped reduce the eczema outbreaks or if there were other factors involved as well.4 More studies still need to be done before we can know the true link between probiotics and eczema.
One thing that is known is that there isn’t any evidence that shows probiotics to have a negative effect on eczema so it’s worth a try.
Remember to Take Care of Your Skin
While trying to decrease flare-ups of eczema with probiotics might seem like a method worth trying, it’s important to not solely rely on probiotics to solve your skin issues and to continue to look after your eczema-prone skin. Remember to keep your skin moisturized and protected by wearing Gloves In A Bottle Shielding Lotion on your hands or Skin MD Natural on the body and face to minimize contact with external irritants that are likely to cause a flare-up.
And if you need an excuse, go and eat some dark chocolate in the name of helping your eczema!
1 https://nationaleczema.org/research/eczema-facts/
2 https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/causes-and-triggers-of-eczema/
3 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318946
4 https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-disorders/probiotics-for-eczema