At 24 months, 8% of kids who took L. reuteri had allergy-related eczema compared to 20% of those who took placebo.
Researchers also found that 14% of kids who took L. reuteri were sensitive to a skin-prick allergy test compared to 31% for placebo.
Infants with eczema have higher risk for allergic asthma and hay fever later in life. Doctors believe that probiotics are anti-inflammatory and improve the immune system in the gut.