Breakthrough research into eczema could be key to preventative treatment for common skin condition

A groundbreaking Australian study into eczema has discovered the natural fats in a baby's skin can help predict if they will develop the common condition.

This breakthrough could lead to screening tests for eczema and help develop preventative treatment for a condition that impacts one in three children.

Melbourne six-year-old Henry Evans often suffers from eczema flare-ups which can be debilitating.

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His mother, Erin Brockman, told 9News there were times the eczema was so severe he would be bleeding.

"He just has flare-ups often for no reason, so we never know when it's coming," she said.

Henry has been taking part in the Melbourne University-led study his whole life after he began showing symptoms of eczema at just a few months old.

He has managed the condition through steroid creams and moisturiser.

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Henry's participation in the study has helped scientists discover how the fat stored in a baby's skin, known as lipids, is linked to the development of eczema.

"We may be able to find ways of increasing these particular skin lipids that may help future generations from developing eczema," Melbourne University Professor of Epidemiology Adrian Lowe said.

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Brockman said screening tests could be a "total game changer" for families.

Australia has one of the highest eczema rates in the world and Melbourne researchers behind this study believe finding a way to prevent it could be the key to better treatment for various other conditions.

"If we can do that, we may actually lower their risk of developing other forms of allergies, like food allergy, asthma and hayfever," Lowe said.

"If we can arrest this allergy march, then we've got a chance of really improving the health of our society."

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