Probiotics & Eczema: How a Healthy Gut Can Improve Your Skin

Many people know probiotics as digestive aids, but these beneficial bacteria do much more. Increasingly, the role of probiotics in skin conditions like eczema is being explored. Research shows that healthy gut flora can contribute to calmer skin. But how exactly does that work?

What is eczema?

Eczema is a collective term for skin conditions in which the skin becomes inflamed, often accompanied by redness, dryness, flaking, itching, and sometimes bumps or scabs. It is not contagious, but usually chronic: symptoms can persist for a long time or recur repeatedly.

One of the most common forms is constitutional eczema (also called atopic eczema). This involves a hereditary predisposition to hypersensitive reactions to harmless substances, such as pollen, dust, or certain foods. People with this form of eczema often also have hay fever or asthma.

The link between eczema, intestines and the immune system

Eczema is more than just a skin problem. The immune system and gut microbiome (the billions of bacteria in your intestines) often play a role as well.

With eczema, the skin barrier is weakened. This makes it easier for substances and stimuli from the environment to penetrate. The immune system reacts strongly to this, leading to inflammatory reactions. At the same time, an overgrowth of certain bacteria or yeasts can develop on the skin, exacerbating the symptoms.

What happens when your gut flora gets out of balance?

Healthy gut flora helps maintain a balanced immune system. Good bacteria communicate with immune cells and strengthen the immune system. But when bad bacteria gain the upper hand, substances more easily enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation, including in the skin.

Research shows that people with eczema often:

• Have less diversity of good gut bacteria.
• Having a weakened intestinal barrier.
• Have more inflammatory factors in their bodies.

How can probiotics help with eczema?

Probiotics are living microorganisms that restore balance in your intestines. They can:

• Increasing the diversity of good bacteria.
• Strengthen the intestinal wall.
• Inflammatory factors such as CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 are reduced.

Because of these effects, probiotics can also indirectly support the skin. A stronger intestinal barrier and a calmer immune system reduce inflammatory stimuli that can aggravate eczema.

Conclusion

Eczema is influenced not only by what happens on your skin, but also by what lives in your gut. Healthy gut flora can contribute to less inflammation and a stronger skin barrier. Probiotics can play a valuable role in this, especially as part of a broader approach to skin and gut health.

Optemuse tip for eczema and skin complaints

Do you want to support your skin from within?

• Probiotic Support – specially formulated for healthy gut flora and a strong immune system.
• Liver Support – supports natural detoxification, which can relieve skin.
• Collagen Mix – nourishes the skin from within so it can rebuild itself stronger.

This way you work on a strong foundation from within, with positive effects that extend to your skin.