X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Antibiotic Use Before 2 Years Old Increases Eczema, Allergy Risk in Kids

2 min read
Antibiotic Use Before 2 Years Old Increases Eczema, Allergy Risk in Kids

The most alarming thing doctors are concerned about when it comes to infants and antibiotics is the creation of untreatable superbugs.

There will be instances in your infant’s life when they will need to take antibiotics for their health. But according to new studies, antibiotic use before two years may not be the best thing. Early exposure may increase the risk of eczema and allergies.

“Studies on almost 400,000 people found that giving the drugs to infants increased their chance of developing the painful skin allergy by up to 41 per cent, and their risk of hay fever by up to 56 per cent,” as per a Mail Online report.

Antibiotic use before two years of age

Researchers believe that when taken by infants, antibiotics kill off the natural bacteria found in the gut.

As a result, their bodies’ immune system never gets used to dealing with germs.

So when exposed to relatively harmless substances (such as pollen and certain allergens) their immune system overreacts. This then results in an allergic reaction.

Compiling the results of 22 studies, the researchers found that the increased risk of eczema ranged from 15 to 41%. For hay fever it rose to 14 to 56%.

Not only that, Dr. Fariba Ahmadizar, of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, says that the risk of both allergies went up if the infants had been treated with two courses of antibiotics.

Despite the findings in the study, doctors still advise that parents give infants antibiotics should the need for them arise.

But perhaps the most alarming thing that doctors are concerned about when it comes to infants and antibiotics is the creation of untreatable superbugs.

“Antibiotic resistance occurs when germs adapt and find ways to survive the effects of medicines,” the Mail Online report said. “The more that the bugs are exposed to the drugs, the quicker they evolve.”

In fact, a 2015 study by Bristol University discovered that 48% of young children in the UK suffering from a common bladder condition carried Ampicillin-resistant germs. Ampicillin is a go-to drug used for a variety of illnesses.

England’s chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies encourages parents to stop asking GPs for antibiotics.

“Using antibiotics when we don’t need them, or not always taking the full course properly, gives bacteria in our bodies that opportunity to become resistant to antibiotics,” she said. 

Partner Stories
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Nasreen Majid

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • Antibiotic Use Before 2 Years Old Increases Eczema, Allergy Risk in Kids
Share:
  • My child has eczema

    My child has eczema

  • Uses Of Breastmilk For Health, Beauty, Nutrition And More

    Uses Of Breastmilk For Health, Beauty, Nutrition And More

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

  • ‘You Will Always Be a Part of Us’: Singaporean Family Gives Helper of 20 Years ‘Long Service Award’

    ‘You Will Always Be a Part of Us’: Singaporean Family Gives Helper of 20 Years ‘Long Service Award’

  • My child has eczema

    My child has eczema

  • Uses Of Breastmilk For Health, Beauty, Nutrition And More

    Uses Of Breastmilk For Health, Beauty, Nutrition And More

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

  • ‘You Will Always Be a Part of Us’: Singaporean Family Gives Helper of 20 Years ‘Long Service Award’

    ‘You Will Always Be a Part of Us’: Singaporean Family Gives Helper of 20 Years ‘Long Service Award’

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.