Is your baby suffering from eczema that just won’t go away? Atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, is a chronic skin condition characterised by inflamed, itchy, and dry patches of skin. It is increasingly prevalent in Malaysia, particularly among children, with over 20% affected, significantly disrupting their quality of life and affecting schooling [1]. 90% of sufferers develop the condition before the age of 5 years [2].
46% Increased Eczema Risk in Pandemic-Born Babies
Recent research has indicated that babies born during the pandemic have a 46% increased risk of developing eczema and other atopic allergies [3]. This figure tallies closely with global figures, which showed a more than 30% increase in eczema risk in babies born after the pandemic.
Researchers and scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) discovered a striking difference in the gut microbiome of babies born before the pandemic and those born during this period. Babies born during the pandemic era had an imbalanced or disturbed gut microbiome (dysbiosis), which compromised their immune system, leading to significant allergies like eczema.
This is the extraordinary insight from Prof. Dr. Siew Ng, a gut microbiome expert and leading gastroenterologist at CUHK. She shared, “These pandemic-born babies have a depletion of a special strain of bacteria called Bifidobacterium breve, which is very important to boost a baby’s immunity.”
Why Bifidobacterium Is Crucial for a Baby’s Immunity
Bifidobacterium is vital to a baby’s health as it’s one of the first bacteria to colonize the infant’s gut and forms the foundation of a strong immune system. Bifidobacterium breve is one of the most abundant bacteria found in the newborn gut.
Does your baby cry and fuss easily due to tummy discomfort? Bifidobacterium breaks down complex carbohydrates that infants may struggle to digest on their own. This helps prevent gastrointestinal issues like colic and constipation. Bifidobacteria also produce essential vitamins and protect against harmful pathogens. By enhancing a baby’s immune response, Bifidobacteria reduce the risk of infections and allergies.
Why Do Pandemic Babies Suffer from Gut Dysbiosis?
Prof. Dr. Siew Ng explained that during the pandemic, many hygiene measures, such as constant hand-washing and home cleaning, were implemented, leading to over-sanitization that disrupted the gut microbiome.
Prof. Dr. Siew Ng’s 4 Tips to Manage & Prevent Eczema
Here are 4 practical measures that you can adopt to effectively boost the immunity and gut microbiome composition of your baby.
1. Expose Your Kids to the Outdoors
Contrary to popular belief, dirt is actually good for your baby! Allowing your children to have more outdoor play in a natural environment will expose them to a variety of both good and bad bugs, which will help boost their immunity.
Studies have shown that diverse gut microbiomes give better protection against harmful bugs as friendly microbes compete with bad bugs in the gut for food and space, preventing the baddies from multiplying [4].
2. Provide Diets Rich in Prebiotics
Does your baby love apples, oats, and bananas? These are non-digestible fibers or “prebiotics” that feed and help multiply the beneficial bacteria in your infant’s gut! When they reach the large intestine, they are fermented by gut bacteria. This fermentation process produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that provide energy, nourishment, and protection to the cells lining your baby’s gut.
3. Have Pets in the Home
Is your little one badgering you to adopt that cute, li’l lost kitty? Here’s a great reason to do so! Clinical trials have demonstrated that exposure to pets can actually decrease the risk of eczema. One study showed that cat owners experienced a decrease in harmful gut bacteria like Proteobacteria and an increase in beneficial strains [5].
Pets help introduce new microbial species into our homes, which in turn increases the variety of microorganisms in the gut, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. This exposure can train your baby’s immune system to recognize and respond to potential threats more effectively [6].
4. Consider Supplementation with SIM03
Prof. Siew Ng emphasised that while outdoor play, a fiber-rich diet, and pets all help to boost the good bacteria in a baby’s gut, they are limited in their ability to reduce eczema flare-ups in infants.
This is why she and her team developed SIM03, a revolutionary, treatment-grade microbiota formulation that has been clinically proven to reduce skin itchiness and improve the quality of life of children with eczema.
What makes SIM03 different from other probiotic supplements in the market is that it was developed using AI and Metagenomics Technology to identify the best strains of beneficial bacteria for a child’s immunity, namely Bifidobacteria breve and Bifidobacteria bifidum.
However, even a strong formulation is pointless if the good bacteria are unable to reach baby’s gut alive due to hostile stomach acid. Here’s where SIM03 excels with its Italian-patented Microencapsulation Technology that delivers live bacteria right to the colon where it’s needed, to colonize baby’s gut and exert its superb protective effects.
Astounding Results from Clinical Studies
Prof. Dr. Siew Ng and her team at CUHK were delighted to discover that 100% of patients who took SIM03 found that their moderate eczema had become mild. Those with severe eczema were downgraded to moderate eczema in 50% of cases.
In addition, children who consumed SIM03 enjoyed an improvement in their quality of life and much better sleep. Their skin became less itchy, and the lesions in their skin improved significantly.
Real Life, Real Stories- Severe Eczema, Soothed!
Prof. Dr. Siew Ng shared how a six-year-old girl who suffered from severe eczema since she was four years old received repeated doses of steroids to treat the condition, but with very little success. She was scared to go to school, wear short dresses, and participate in swimming lessons, fearing that her friends would see her eczema lesions and scratch marks.
She slept poorly, leading to poor mood. Neither Western nor Chinese medicine helped.She was then referred to Prof. Siew Ng’s medical team, who immediately treated her with SIM03.
Remarkably, after about three months, which is the amount of time needed for the good bacteria to colonize the gut, her severe eczema became moderate, and then, over time, was further downgraded to mild.
Prof. Siew Ng shared, “Now she can sleep better at night with a lot less itchiness, doesn’t need so many antibiotics or steroids, and overall has a better quality of life at home and in school!”
So Natural, So Tasty. Children Just Love It!
Prof. Dr. Siew Ng emphasised that, unlike conventional eczema treatments that use a lot of harmful steroids, SIM03 is a completely clean and natural product. Clinical studies have proven that SIM03 is safe for children, with no negative side effects.
It has no additives, artificial flavours, colourings, or emulsifiers. It is also tasty and palatable, which has resulted in high compliance.
Keep Your Little One Free from Eczema!
There’s no better time than now to ensure that your beloved baby is free from the distressing symptoms of eczema.
Get your stock of G-NiiB SIM03 Kids online or at your nearest pharmacy today for a stronger, healthier, and happier child!
Watch Prof. Dr. Siew Ng share her insights:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SGrGddicne6LOmlCyuYCUFWDvzHDwL45/view
References:
[2] https://allergycentre.com.my/atopic.html
[3] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19490976.2024.2443117 Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on early life gut microbiome.
[5] https://epetome.com/blogs/immunity/how-pets-are-might-be-influencing-our-gut-health