The Gut–Skin Connection: How the Microbiome Shapes Childhood Eczema

Eczema is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions in children and while creams can help calm flare-ups, they rarely address the root cause.

Emerging research continues to highlight that the skin and the gut are deeply connected. When the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, it can trigger immune and inflammatory changes that show up on the skin. Understanding and testing your child’s gut health may be one of the most important steps in managing eczema long-term, not just soothing it temporarily.

How does the gut impact the skin?

In children with eczema, studies have found:

• Reduced levels of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species

• Increased Clostridium and Staphylococcus aureus overgrowth

• Lower production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are anti-inflammatory compounds made by healthy gut bacteria

• Higher intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) allowing inflammatory molecules to pass into the bloodstream

Together, these changes disrupt immune balance and increase the skin’s sensitivity to allergens and irritants. Understanding and identifying these aspects can drastically change skin presentation. 

Clues the Gut is Involved:

Some signs that your child’s eczema may be linked to gut imbalance include:

• Eczema that worsens with certain foods (especially dairy, eggs, or processed foods)

• Digestive symptoms such as bloating, constipation, or loose stools

• Recurrent antibiotic use 

• Food intolerances, reflux, or poor appetite

• Behavioural changes or poor sleep associated with flare-ups

Key Takeaway

Eczema isn’t just a skin issue, t’s often a gut–immune issue that shows up on the skin.
By supporting and/or exploring the microbiome, we can uncover the underlying triggers and design an evidence-based plan to help your child’s skin heal from within.

Book an appointment to discuss if this is the right test for you and we can get the ball rolling into gut microbiome and long-lasting health improvements in every aspect of the word.