Topical Probiotics for Atopic Dermatitis and Eczema

Topical Probiotics for Atopic Dermatitis and Eczema

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By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDReviewed by Dr. Jennifer Logan, MD, MPH

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory disease of the skin in which the normal barrier function of the skin is disrupted, so that immune function is impaired and susceptibility to infection with common bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus is increased.

Staphylococcus aureus grow on Mannitol salt agar. Image Credit: Pattikky / Shutterstock

This invasion by pathogenic microbes in turn leads to a disturbance in the numbers and relative proportions of various microbial species that live as commensal organisms on the skin, causing cutaneous dysbiosis.