A review of 20 earlier studies found that children with eczema are significantly more likely to have been treated with antibiotics during their first year of life.

Every additional course of antibiotics appeared to increase the risk by a further seven per cent, but there is no evidence that antibiotics taken by mothers during pregnancy confer a similar risk to their unborn child, researchers found.

Dr Teresa Tsakok, of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, London, said: "One potential explanation is broad-spectrum antibiotics alter the gut microflora and this in turn affects the maturing immune system in a way that promotes allergic disease development."

One in five schoolchildren in Britain and one in 12 adults suffers from eczema and the condition, which causes itchy sores, is becoming increasingly common.

Scientists have long speculated that it could be triggered by allergies or reactions to common drugs including vaccines, antibiotics and paracetamol.

Researchers said their work, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, was the "most comprehensive and detailed study of its kind" but warned that use of antibiotics could be a consequence of an increased occurrence of infections in children with eczema.

Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists, added: "Allergic diseases including eczema have increased over past decades particularly for children in high income countries but the causes for this are not fully understood.

"The evidence is not conclusive and the researchers are not suggesting parents should withhold antibiotics from children when doctors feel such treatment is necessary but studies like this give an insight into possible avoidable causes and may help to guide medical practice."

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Antibiotics linked to eczema risk in children