Washington State University study links skin microbiome to infant eczema

Researchers at Washington State University have identified that changes in the skin microbiome of infants may serve as early indicators for the development of eczema and food allergies. The study, published in the journal Allergy, suggests that these microscopic changes occur long before clinical symptoms appear.

Lead author Zeyang Shen noted that these microbiome shifts could potentially function as biomarkers, allowing healthcare professionals to diagnose at-risk children earlier and implement personalized prevention and treatment strategies. The research focused on atopic dermatitis and food sensitivities, which are often part of the ‘atopic march’—a progression of allergic diseases that can include asthma.

The study involved analyzing over 1,000 skin swabs from 429 infants. Researchers compared samples taken when infants were 2 to 3 months old—prior to any diagnoses—with samples taken at 12 months of age, using advanced DNA sequencing to identify microbial genetic functions.