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The Star
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
How Covid-19 triggered more skin allergies
Childhood eczema – a condition that causes the skin to become inflamed, dry, itchy and bumpy – is a constant source of worry for parents. Children can scratch until they bleed, they can't sleep, and they may end up often skipping nursery or school. When the child itches and cries uncontrollably, parents are at their wits' end, not knowing how to pacify their young one. The lives of the child and parents are seriously affected. Conventional treatment includes applying topical corticosteroids and emollients to restore skin integrity. While eczema can affect anyone at any age, symptoms usually appear during early childhood. There is no cure for eczema, but the condition may improve after childhood. However, 30% will persist into adulthood or even emerge suddenly for the first time in later life. Globally, roughly one in five adults have some sort of skin allergy, hypersensitivity or eczema. Of late, a number of studies have highlighted the close relationship between gut dysbiosis and a variety of skin conditions, including eczema, acne, urticaria, psoriasis and hair loss. Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance in the composition and function of the microbiome. It can involve a decrease in beneficial bacteria, an overgrowth of potentially harmful bacteria, or a reduction in overall microbial diversity. The human gut microbiome refers to the trillions of microbes, such as bacteria, fungi and other microbes that live in our intestines. This community of microbes is also known as the microbiota. The gut microbiome is unique to each individual as infants inherit their first gut microbes during vaginal delivery or breastfeeding. Later, diet and other environmental exposures introduce new microorganisms to your microbiome. Some of these exposures can harm and diminish the microbiota. The interrelationship between gut microbes and skin conditions is known as the gut-skin axis. Atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema, has been specifically linked to gut dysbiosis. This imbalance, detected through stool samples, often involves a decrease in beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium bifidum . More emerging evidence is also showing that the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating the immune system. 'Hyper-hygienic' ways The skin – our body's largest organ – plays a vital role in the immune system by acting as a physical barrier against pathogens, as well as housing its own immune cells. An imbalance in our gut microbiome can have negative consequences on other organs, including the skin. — TNS As 70% of our immune system lies in the gut, an imbalance in the gut microbiome will indirectly influence the immune cells on the skin as well. Intent on investigating this link, a team of gut microbiome researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong's (CUHK's) Medicine Faculty set out to explore the burden of eczema in Hong Kong and its underlying causes in a large-scale study. They analysed data from 1,152 children aged between one and four years, and found a 46% rise in the incidence of allergy in toddlers born in Hong Kong during the Covid-19 pandemic, compared to before the pandemic. By sequencing 700 infant stool samples, they also found that the amount of beneficial bacteria associated with immunity in the gut of babies born during the pandemic were less than in those born pre-pandemic. The alarming findings were published last year (2024) in the journal Gut Microbes . 'We found babies born during the pandemic had something bad going on in their gut. 'There was a depletion in richness of microbiome diversity, even now after the pandemic. 'These babies were not exposed to normal bugs because it was a very sterile environment during Covid-19 – we wore masks, washed or disinfected our hands constantly and sterilised spaces. 'We also used a lot of antibiotics and socially isolated ourselves, which changed our immune system. 'Due to these reasons, we are now seeing an increase in skin allergy conditions in children,' explains study co-investigator and gastroenterologist Professor Dr Siew C. Ng. This higher incidence of eczema correlated directly with a 72% drop in B. breve , a strain integral in helping the infant gut and immune system to develop and mature. Extreme hygiene practices during the pandemic had literally wiped out B. breve , leading to weaker immune systems, higher risks of allergies and gut issues. The team also found that pandemic-born babies were three times more prone to harbouring bad bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are resistant to antibiotics. Additionally, the mode of birth governs the type of bacteria found in the gut. She explains: 'Infants born vaginally may have Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains, but if they came out via a caesarean birth, they would have acquired bacteria from the nurses' skin, hospital bed sheets, air conditioner, etc. 'A common strain found here is Staphylococcus that can cause gut dysbiosis. 'Hence, caesarean babies are more likely to have eczema.' ALSO READ: Rubbing mum's vaginal fluid on caesarean section babies helps gut health Basically, how you were born and what you were fed makes a difference. As previous research had already shown that breastfed babies had better balanced gut bacteria, the team decided to exclude them from their study. Prof Ng, who is also the Medicine Faculty's associate dean, says: 'Gut microbes need to be happy to talk to your skin and brain, but if in your early life, you already don't have enough good bugs and your immune system is imbalanced, then we're going to see a higher rate of skin allergies in the future.' She adds: 'Unlike Lactobacillus, which you can get from foods such as yoghurt, B. breve is not easily obtained from the diet. 'It's usually from the mother and the environment, so the only way to get it is through oral supplementation.' 'We then took these babies with mild, moderate and severe eczema, and gave them a patented microencapsulated formula, which can withstand stomach acid. 'To develop the formula, we used Asian people's data because our diet is very different from Caucasians, and artificial intelligence to pick out which bacterium was depleted in children or adults with eczema. 'Then we identified the right ratio. "It contains B. breve and B. bifidum , the two most important strains for children to develop the immune system.' Surprising discovery After three months of daily supplementation, the researchers found that all the babies with moderate eczema had their condition turn mild and half of those with severe eczema had turned moderate. Prof Ng says our extremely hygienic environment during Covid-19 has led to a decrease in beneficial gut bacteria in early life. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star The subjects' sleep patterns were much better, their quality of life improved and parents were delighted. Says Prof Ng: 'We checked their stool samples before and after supplementation, and discovered that not only were the Bifidobacterium strains higher, but surprisingly, other good bacteria also started blooming, so their gut ecosystem was richer.' Based on metagenomic sequencing – the direct genetic analysis of genomes contained within an environmental sample – the researchers found an increase in 23 types of beneficial bacteria in the gut. 'These two strains actually do more than just colonise the gut; they changed the environment to become healthier, and that improved the immune system and reduced eczema,' she says. The results of this study were published in the journal Scientific Reports last year (2024). While some children started displaying symptoms again upon stopping the formula, others were fine and managed to wean off the formula. 'We've been following these children and are going to start a second clinical study soon. 'I actually suspect we need to colonise these bacteria for a longer duration. 'Perhaps then they can reduce flare-ups, eliminate eczema or reduce reliance on steroids or biologics,' she says. The formula is now available as probiotics in sachet form at selected Malaysian pharmacies. Prof Ng, who has published over 350 papers in international journals, says that as we grow older, there is a drop in these two strains. 'We found that those lacking in Bifidobacterium strains are prone to certain illnesses and are more likely to be infected with Covid-19. "When they get it, their symptoms are also more severe. 'It's all to do with the immune system, although the virus is external.' she says. Read StarHealth on July 13 (2025) for more on CUHK's research on restoring the gut microbiota to address long Covid.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
How a baby's gut bacteria could help fight off viral infections later
Did you know that the mix of bacteria in a baby's gut right after birth might actually protect them from getting sick with viral infections in early childhood? Sounds wild, but that's exactly what some new research from the UK is showing. The study, done by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and University College London (UCL), suggests that certain gut bacteria babies pick up in their first week could lower their chances of ending up in the hospital with serious respiratory infections in the first two years of life. This is the biggest study of its kind on UK babies' microbiomes — basically, the community of tiny microbes living in their digestive system. The researchers took stool samples from over 1,000 newborns and used whole genome sequencing to figure out what bacteria were hanging out in there. Then, they checked the babies' health records to see who ended up admitted to the hospital with viral lower respiratory tract infections (that's infections in the lungs and airways caused by viruses) before age two. Here's the kicker: babies born vaginally with a specific mix of 'pioneer' bacteria, especially one called Bifidobacterium longum (B. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Direct Shopping From Adidas Franchise Store, Up To 50% Off Original Adidas Shop Now Undo longum), were less likely to need hospital care for these infections. This beneficial bacteria was often found alongside other helpful species like Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bacteroides dorei. So, it looks like these early microbial neighbors might be helping the baby's immune system fight off nasty viruses later on. Why does birth method matter? The study also backed up previous findings that how a baby is born influences their early microbiome. Babies born vaginally usually pick up a different mix of gut bacteria compared to babies born via C-section. Vaginally born babies get exposed to their mom's bacteria passing through the birth canal, which helps seed their gut with beneficial microbes right away. Babies born by C-section don't get that same exposure, so their early gut bacteria profile tends to be different. But interestingly, the study found that not all vaginally born babies had the same protective microbiome — some still had a higher risk of hospital admissions for viral infections. So, birth method is just one piece of the puzzle. What about feeding? The researchers also looked at whether babies were breastfed, formula-fed, or had a mix. Breast milk is known to help develop a healthy gut microbiome, but even after considering feeding type and whether babies took antibiotics, the link between the beneficial bacteria and lower infection risk still held up. Correlation, not causation It's important to keep in mind this is an observational study, which means it shows an association between certain bacteria and lower hospital admissions — but it doesn't prove that those bacteria cause the protection. More research is needed to figure out if these microbes are directly guarding babies against infections, or if something else is at play. Still, the results are exciting because they open the door to new ideas for preventing serious viral infections in kids. Imagine if we could develop targeted probiotics — basically, good bacteria supplements — to give babies a microbial boost and help their immune systems stay strong. Bigger picture: The gut microbiome and future health This study is part of a growing wave of research showing that our gut microbiome plays a huge role in our overall health, especially immune system development. The first month of life seems like a critical window to set up a healthy gut ecosystem, which might influence how well babies handle infections and other health issues later on. The team behind the study is now gearing up for an even bigger project called the Microbes, Milk, Mental Health and Me (4M) study. This will look at how early microbiomes affect a whole range of health outcomes, not just respiratory infections. Experts weigh in Dr. Cristina Garcia-Mauriño, the lead author at UCL, told Medical Express, viral respiratory infections are a major reason kids get hospitalized, so finding ways to reduce this risk is huge. She highlighted how this study raises the idea that some babies' gut bacteria could be part of that protective shield. Professor Nigel Field from UCL, who co-leads the 4M project, called the findings 'striking and new.' He pointed out that combining genome technology with health records made it possible to uncover these associations — and bigger studies are needed to understand how our microbiomes and health really interact. Professor Louise Kenny, who wasn't part of this study but is an expert on childbirth and child health, stressed that C-sections save lives and that birth choices are complex. She said this study shows not every vaginally born baby has the same gut bacteria or infection risk, meaning other factors matter too. More research will help create personalized advice for moms and babies. Dr. Trevor Lawley from the Sanger Institute, also a co-lead on 4M, shared how our microbiome develops rapidly in those first few days and adapts as we grow. He's excited about the potential to design probiotics tailored to a baby's unique microbiome to promote health. Babies' gut bacteria aren't just tiny passengers — they could be playing a major role in protecting kids from some serious viral infections during their early years. While we're still figuring out the details, this research shines a light on the importance of early microbial development and opens exciting possibilities for future infant health interventions. So next time you think about baby gut health, remember: those little microbes might just be superheroes in disguise. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
