Using diaries and interviews, Swedish researchers followed a group of nearly 200 infants, checking in at 18 and 36 months of age. They found that the development of eczema was significantly less likely to occur in babies whose parents had “cleaned” infants’ pacifiers by sucking on them.

Infants in this group were also found to have a different composition of microbes in their saliva, when compared to infants whose parents didn’t use this “cleaning technique”. The authors of the study believe that exposure to parental saliva may accelerate the development of complex oral microbes in the infant, which may help the immune system better tolerate allergens.

Gross? Perhaps. But this research actually falls in line with earlier studies which suggest the human microbiome – a collective term for the trillions of microbes which live on and within our bodies (and actually outnumber our own cells) – plays an integral role in immune system development. These bacteria are on the whole poorly understood, but differences in their composition have been linked with the development of asthma, allergies, diabetes and even cancer.

The research also relates to the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ theory of allergy development. It suggests that, in developed countries, anti-microbial products are overused, resulting in the immune system being underused and failing to mature properly. Allergies develop when the immune system begins targeting normally benign substances (such as peanut or milk protein).

At one point, it was thought that a lack of infections in infants in developed countries was to blame for the rise in allergies, but now some scientists believe it is more likely a disruption of the complex interplay between certain microbes and the developing immune system that is to blame.

Previous studies have linked Cesarian delivery and lack of breastfeeding, which are both factors that impact the diversity and amount of bacteria in infants, to a greater risk of developing allergies later in life.

Does this mean parents should start sucking their kids’ pacifiers? Not so fast, say the study’s authors. This study was quite small, dealt with a specific population, and had no long-term follow-up. Further, larger studies are required before it can be established that this practice will actually help protect infants from developing allergies.

But Dr. Douglas Leavengood, an allergist based in Biloxi, Mississippi, swears by a simple treatment found readily in the pantry: sea salt.

About 20 years ago, Leavengood noticed that many of his child eczema patients saw an improvement in their condition after spending lots of time in the ocean in the summer. Then Leavengood’s daughter tried it out. She began giving daily sea salt baths to her own kids with eczema, and their skin became less red and irritated.

Leavengood now recommends daily sea salt baths (about a handful in the tub) for all of his young patients, and commonly sees an improvement in redness, itchiness and dryness in as little as a week to 10 days. “It’s the most impressed I’ve ever been with a home therapy for anything,” he tells Allergic Living.

Scientific study would be necessary to conclusively prove that the treatment really works, as well as how it works. (Leavengood wonders if the salt may somehow help the skin to stay moist, or if perhaps it acts as an antibacterial agent.) What’s more, Leavengood’s patients often have severe cases, so they still require prescription creams and antihistamines.

Still, he says, “for a lot of mild cases, try this and a good moisturizing cream, and you’re good to go.”

See also: Bleach Bath for Eczema

From the Fall 2011 issue of Allergic Living magazine.

Dr. Sicherer: The allergic form of eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is related to other allergic illnesses including asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and food allergies. These illnesses are inherited and often occur together in the same person.

Infants and children who are known to be allergic to milk are more likely to have atopic dermatitis and other allergies. Infants with atopic dermatitis are more likely to have positive allergy tests to milk as well as other food and environmental allergens such as dust mite and cat dander.

Milk allergy is not necessarily directly linked with the eczema, but both are more likely to occur in allergy-prone individuals.

The more severe the allergic skin rash and the earlier the onset, the greater the chance that the infant may have, or develop, other allergies, including food allergies. Again, this probably reflects a person’s general allergic inclination, rather than being a direct link between a food and the skin rash.

But could there be a direct link between allergy and eczema? One theory is that the broken, rashy skin allows proteins to be “seen” by the immune system, while normal skin keeps out the allergens. This might make it easier for the immune system to attack the proteins that land on the broken skin, causing more allergies. However, this is just a theory.

Next: One direct link between eczema, milk allergy

Dr. Skotnicki-Grant: At the age of 8, your daughter likely has a genetic form of eczema which is referred to as atopic eczema. This is a chronic and recurrent condition that usually flares in what we call the skin “flexures”, such as folds of arms and behind the knees. Many children will grow out of it.

However, while she has it, approaching the disease in a preventative manner will be the most beneficial. This means taking great care with all aspects of her skin care. Assess every product she uses from her head to her toes, adopting a “less is more” approach. All products should be fragrance-free and botanical-free.

Get the shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, soap, and fragrance-free laundry detergent (no fabric softener!) in order. For soap, I like the Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar, and suggest not to use body washes. Then you should ask her doctor to prescribe an appropriate corticosteroid cream for flares. Keep in mind that if she avoids irritants in her day-to-day life she will have fewer flares, and require less corticosteroid cream.

Also note that using a medium to strong corticosteroid cream can treat a flare very quickly and get the skin back on track. In the long run, she will use much less corticosteroid than if she uses a mild corticosteroid cream for many days.

Find Dr. Skotnicki-Grant’s clinic at baydermatologycentre.com

Dr. Skotnicki-Grant: Characterized by inflamed, scaly and red skin, eczema is a problem that those with asthma, allergies and/or hayfever are particularly prone to developing. The good news is that eczema can be managed.

Here’s how:

1. Avoid fragrance. It’s an unnecessary additive and a potential irritant. I suggest using unscented laundry detergents such as Tide Free and Cheers Free, and unscented dryer sheets like Bounce Free.

2. The same goes for beauty products. Facial and body soaps should be mild and unscented, like the bars from Dove, Cetaphil and Allenbury. Stay away from body washes, which are often scented and contain irritating ingredients.

3. Moisturize the entire skin daily. Go unscented with moisturizers like Vaseline Creamy Problem Skin Therapy Unscented, Glaxal Base and La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume.

4. Take short showers. Too much water can dry out the skin, so keep showers and baths to between 10 and 15 minutes, and make sure the water isn’t too hot. Pat dry – don’t rub, and always moisturize after bathing. Moisturizer is most effective when applied to damp skin.

5. Cool down. If you don’t have much control over your central heating, a cool mist humidifier can add moisture to your air.

6. See a doctor. Painful or inflamed areas should be treated by a dermatologist.

Related:
• A special bath that can fight eczema
• Am I allergic to exercise?
• The rise of nickel allergy

Find Dr. Skotnicki-Grant’s clinic at baydermatologycentre.com

First published in Winter 2005-06 issue of Allergic Living magazine.
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