Any improvement in your childs allergies with probiotics?

[twelvesocks]

I've heard that probiotics may help to reduce allergies.
Ds2 is 1.5 years and has multiple allergies (swelling lips is the most common reaction plus excema)

I want to give it a try but want to know if anyone else can share their experience of this?

Probiotics really helped with my DD's eczema - we still give it regularly and by and large, she is totally free of eczema. She still has multiple food allergies but has outgrown milk and may also be able to have egg soon. There has been research done, I think, to say that probiotics can help with the 'allergic march', allergic march being where children start with eczema/reflux and then go on to develop food allergies and asthma. It's not a miracle cure but I'd definitely recommend probiotics based on my own experience.

We're very lucky that my DS only has very mild eczema, generally on the backs of his knees and occasionally on his tummy...but so far - he's had none at all since we started giving him pre and probiotics

As I said though, his eczema was only ever very mild so he may just have grown out of it rather than the probiotics being a miracle cure. It is quite a coincidence though, especially as fairywave has had he same result.

Either way - he absolutely loves his special "milk" so I'll carry on giving it to him. DH and I both have hayfever too and if it might save him from that then it's worth a shot!

Thats really interesting. What pre/probiotics do you use? Actimal type stuff or more 'proper' things?

I introduced pro-biotics to ds2's diet and his eczema had cleared up within a few weeks - you can draw your own conclusions. His eczema was mild though, and would flare when his gut was upset - like during teething.

I give him Lactobacillus GG which I buy off the internet - they come in capsule form and I split open the capsule and mix it with his food (I also do all the other things to help his eczema - moisturize, no soap in bath, non-biological washing powders etc).

I didn't give actimels because DD was initially allergic to dairy anyway, plus they're full of sugar which even now aggravates her eczema. We used the Udo's Choice infant's blend probiotic. It's in a powder form which you can add to any drinks or yoghurts even. Needs a good stir in the drinks though.

Not allergies, but my dd2 had a condition called mesenteric adenitis, where an abdominal gland swells in response to infection like tonsils. A homeopath treated her with a lymph tincture, and also probiotics. She is still on the probiotics...and we haven't had a recurrence since.

I use the Muller Vitality drinks. They are sweet so Ds is only allowed 1 a day. He loves them.

We also do the Non bio-washing powder, no soap in bath etc...

wb - just a point to note - the capsules are to help the bacteria survive the acid environment in the stomach - you are reducing the effectiveness by breaking the capsule apart. If it's still working ok that's fine, but you are not making the best of what you have.

sorry, just continuing that point - if you want to use a powder to mix with food, then get one that comes as a powder because it will have a different sort of protection built in, as it were.

Thanks Thumbwitch - I'll look out for powder only forms.