Pregnancy Eczema: Can it be transmitted to the future baby?

eczema is a skin disease that is not contagious and therefore cannot be transmitted through physical contact, whether direct or indirect. As for the risks of transmitting pregnancy eczema to the future baby, however, it's a bit different and this depends on the form of eczema .

• Case No. 1: Pregnancy eczema is of allergic origin, meaning it is "contact" eczema.

  Contact eczema is caused by an allergic reaction of the skin to a specific allergen. The red patches only appear on areas that have come into contact with the irritating substance. Contact eczema cannot be passed on to a future baby, as it is an acquired form.

• Case No. 2: Pregnancy eczema is of hereditary origin, that is to say, "atopic".

  In this case, pregnancy eczema is due to genetic mutations, often on the genes coding for filaggrin and other proteins necessary for the integrity of the stratum corneum. This results in a deficient skin barrier that easily allows allergens to penetrate. Atopic eczema is a congenital form that can unfortunately be passed on to the future baby. Indeed, the baby inherits half of its genes from its mother. Moreover, if both parents have an atopic predisposition, the risk for the child to develop eczema is 50 to 70%. However, this transmission is not systematic and the risks are not greater if the mother's eczema flare-ups occur during her pregnancy or before.

Today, there are methods validated by European studies to limit the risk of transmission of atopic dermatitis to the future baby. This involves the intake of pro and prebiotics during pregnancy. Prebiotics are compounds found in our diet (mainly from fibers) that serve as food for the intestinal microbiota. They ensure the survival of probiotics, which are foreign bacteria to the body but their presence will trigger a number of beneficial effects on health.

To prevent eczema in the future baby, the probiotics used are bacteria from the Lactobacillifamily, and more specifically the species Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Studies show that the intake of pre and probiotics during pregnancy can reduce the risk of eczema by up to 50%, in cases where the pregnant woman had an atopic predisposition. Furthermore, this intake is safe for the future mother and her baby. Pre and probiotics can be taken throughout the duration of pregnancy and breastfeeding, if applicable.

To alleviate thepregnancy eczema, it is important tomoisturize the skin daily to counteract its dryness caused by eczema. Applying emollient-rich and fatty care products such as balms or milks one to several times a day is highly recommended to restore its skin barrier.

Furthermore, it is recommended to apply a topical corticosteroid at the onset of the first symptoms of eczema, such as redness, patches, and itching. Presenting no contraindications for the mother and the baby, local cortisone is prescribed by dermatologists to alleviate pregnancy-related atopic eczema.