Research from the Chinese University of Hong Kong suggests that the rise in “excessive” cleaning practices during the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to a 46 percent increase in eczema cases among infants. This surge is believed to be related to reduced bacterial immunity, according to university academics.
Experts from the university’s Faculty of Medicine noted that the heightened hygiene measures, intended to prevent the spread of the virus, may have inadvertently triggered a rise in skin conditions. The study, led by Leung Ting-fan, a professor of paediatrics, suggests that changes in cleaning and sanitation habits during the pandemic played a key role in this trend.
“The number of new eczema cases in children has grown substantially after the Covid-19 pandemic, and we believe this is closely linked to changes in hygiene and sanitation practices,” said Leung.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes redness, irritation, and itching. The American Academy of Paediatrics attributes atopic diseases to allergic reactions, where the body overreacts to certain stimuli.
In 2019, the research team began investigating the relationship between gut microbes and the development of skin conditions, ultimately developing new probiotics aimed at alleviating the severity of eczema in infants within three months.
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