Is everyday skin fungus playing a bigger role in eczema than we ever realized? What if the culprit behind cradle cap, dupilumab facial redness and eczema flare-ups in puberty is hiding in plain sight, on the surface of our skin? Professor of Fungal Immunology from University of Zurich. Dr. Salome LeibundGut-Landmann, explains the secret world of skin fungi, how it affects eczema and a bold new project to convert fungi into skin helpers.

Literature Mentioned

Exeter secures £3.3 million grant to investigate treatment and prevention of eczema

A Case of Cutaneous Fungal Infection Following the Administration of Dupilumab

Retrospective Analysis of the Relationship Between Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis and Atopic Dermatitis 

Malassezia-associated skin diseases in the pediatric population  

Dupilumab facial redness: Clinical characteristics and proposed treatment in a cohort

Advances on the role of mycobiome in atopic dermatitis

The devil is in the details, and in this episode of the Eczema Breakthroughs Podcast, we dive deep into smarter skin care for kids with eczema. Dr. Helen Brough (Director: Children’s Allergy Doctors, London), one of the leading experts in eczema treatment, shares step-by-step, evidence-based guidance on moisturizing, bathing, and proactive steroid use. Joining her is Dr. Amber Atwater (Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology, George Washington University), who unpacks the tricky overlap between allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis, and why choosing low-allergen products is essential.

References

Emollients to Prevent Pediatric Eczema: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Eczema Care Online

Consumer Preferences, Product Characteristics, and Potentially Allergenic Ingredients in Best-selling Moisturizers

Emollients to Prevent Pediatric Eczema: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Skin Safe 100 

Two new studies from the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) conference reveal how Staph bacteria use clever strategies to disarm the skin's barrier maintenance function and work with other bacteria to amplify inflammation. Join us for an interview with Dr. Nathan Archer and Dr. Laine Feller from John Hopkins School of Medicine who explain how Staph aureus bacteria uses its superantigen superpower to hinder lipid production ... and more new research from this year's SID meeting.

New treatment alert!  The FDA recently approved Tapinarof, applied as a cream, for kids 2 years and up.  We ask Dr. Leon Kircik from Icahn School of Medicine, NY, who led the clinical trials about the safety, efficacy and side effects of Tapinarof.  And because we are parents too, we ask: How quickly does it work? Can you start/stop it as needed? How easy will it be to access? And more. If you like our podcast, please consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.

Research discussed

Tapinarof Improved Outcomes and Sleep for Patients and Families in Two Phase 3 Atopic Dermatitis Trials in Adults and Children

Maximal usage trial of tapinarof cream 1% once daily in pediatric patients down to 2 years of age with extensive atopic dermatitis

Tapinarof cream 1% once daily: Significant efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and children down to 2 years of age in the pivotal phase 3 ADORING trials

Tapinarof cream in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults a systematic review and meta-analysis

Efficacy and safety of Ruxolitinib, Crisaborole, and Tapinarof for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis: a Bayesian network analysis of RCTs

What to look out for in eczema moisturizers, why eczema babies have rosy red cheeks and can allergies transfer to baby from breast milk? Join Korey Capozza, Dr. Jessica Hui-Beckman (National Jewish Health) and Dr. Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo (University of Rochester) to find the answers. If you like our podcast, please consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.

Research discussed

Consumer Preferences, Product Characteristics, and Potentially Allergenic Ingredients in Best-selling Moisturizers

Early Life Cheek Skin Barrier Changes are Associated with Atopic Dermatitis Development

Prevention of IgE-Mediated Food Allergy: Emerging Strategies Through Maternal and Neonatal Interventions

Could injectable drugs called "biologics" stop eczema by teaching a child's developing immune system to be less reactive? Dr. Amy Paller from Northwestern University Chicago and Dr. Elaine Siegfried from Saint Louis University in Missouri discuss stopping or tapering biologics and what happens to the immune system when we are on them. If you like our podcast, please consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.

Research discussed

Clinical remission and therapy-free remission in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab

Factors Associated with Remission of Eczema in Children

Persistence of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis

Longitudinal atopic dermatitis control and persistence vary with timing of disease onset in children

How much influence does the gut microbiome have on developing eczema or allergies? Turns out, quite a lot. Join this special excerpt from our research symposium to learn how antibiotics in pregnancy and early childhood increases eczema risk and how adding "biotics" might prevent it in the first place. Our speakers are Dr. David Margolis (University of Pennsylvania) and Dr. Nikole Kimes (Siolta Therapeutics). If you like our podcast, please consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses biological extracts to treat disease. Eczema sufferers may take a herbal bath, apply a specially formulated cream or drink herbal tea as part of TCM treatment. Dr. Xiu Min Li from New York Medical College explains TCM and we ask: Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) safe for newborns? Can you use TCM and topical steroids simultaneously? Could TCM prevent the allergic march?

Research mentioned

Investigation of Berberine's Potential in Attenuating Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Inflammatory Responses

Investigation of In vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Effects of Berberine

Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in moderate-to-severe eczema in clinic and animal model: beyond corticosteroids

Traditional Chinese medicine for food allergy and eczema

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine on skin lesions and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe eczema

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for atopic dermatitis: Evidence from eight high-quality randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Are you feeling lost and don’t know where to find trusted advice on managing eczema? Introducing ECZHALE, your one-stop-shop for reliable information and resources on eczema care. Join Dr. Jennifer LeBovidge, psychologist and Assistant Professor at the Atopic Dermatitis Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, and GPER’s Christine Pham Cutaran as they discuss the challenges of being an eczema caregiver and where you can turn for help. 

Literature mentioned

Multidisciplinary interventions in the management of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis: therapeutic care delivery: therapeutic education, shared decision-making, and access to care

Improving patient education for atopic dermatitis

Resources

ECZHALE wellness hub

Support for Eczema Caregivers

Treatment Navigator

Is getting rid of Staph aureus in the gut the key to improving eczema? And can we control it without antibiotics? Join us as we ask these questions and more of Dr. Michael Otto, Chief of the Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section at the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. (And if you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation).

Research mentioned

Probiotic for pathogen-specific Staphylococcus aureus decolonisation in Thailand: a phase 2, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis contributes to skin barrier homeostasis by generating protective ceramides 

The association between Staphylococcus aureus colonization on cheek skin at 2 months and subsequent atopic dermatitis in a prospective birth cohort

Skin microbiota analysis-inspired development of novel anti-infectives

Combined antibiotic, steroid, and moisturizer for atopic dermatitis: A two‐year case series of patient‐reported outcomes