Bacterium could hold key to eczema treatment

The study, which ran for a month, observed 51 eczema sufferers who were divided into two groups.

One group was treated with V.filiformis applied to the skin in a cream while the others were given a regular cream without the bacteria.

Researchers from Germany and France found that clinical symptoms and itching were significantly decreased in the V.filiformis group only.

At the start of the study, 25% of patients had the pathological bacteria, staphylococcus aureus, on their skin with Streptocci and/or E.Coli present on 12 per cent of patients.

The V.filiformis group experienced a 30 per cent reduction in S. aureus and a 15 per cent drop in the presence of Streptocci and E. coli, compared to 12 and four per cent respectively in the control group.

Study author, Dr Tilo Biedermann said: ‘There is clear evidence that V.filiformis is highly effective, significantly improving not only clinical symptoms but also reducing itching and consequently sleep loss.’

Findings were published online in in the British Journal of Dermatology.

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