Live with the Eczema Doc

Your skin barrier is made up of specialized fats — and in eczema, those fats are broken. In this episode, Dr. Fong breaks down the "bricks and mortar" model of your skin barrier, explains exactly what goes wrong in eczema skin (shorter chain ceramides, kinked fatty acids, and increased water loss), and shares the evidence-based supplements and dietary strategies that can help rebuild your barrier from the inside out.

Topics covered:

• The brick wall model — what your skin barrier is actually made of
• Ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids — the lipid trio that holds your skin together
• What goes wrong in eczema — shorter chain ceramides and "leaky skin"
• The vicious cycle of inflammation and barrier breakdown
• The truth about moisturizers — why no product is proven superior
• Supplements with the strongest evidence: Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and topical B12
• Promising options: L-histidine, oral ceramides, probiotics, and zinc
• The gut-skin connection and why fiber matters
• Q&A: Tacrolimus — short-term benefits vs. long-term concerns
• Q&A: NAC & glutathione — why timing matters for eczema patients

Resources mentioned:

• Free Healing Kickstart Guide: https://www.cleanbody.health/eczema-healing-kickstart-guide
• Free Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com/
• Full blog post: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/eczema-your-skin-barrier-the-lipid-connection
• Book an Eczema Clarity Visit ($97): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit
• Supplement recommendations: https://us.fullscript.com/plans/cleanbody-eczema-recommendations-all

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of using steroids… only to have your eczema come right back—this episode is for you.

In this episode of Live with The Eczema Doc, I’m breaking down evidence-based, non-steroid topical treatments that not only provide relief—but can actually help address the root causes of eczema.

Because here’s the truth:
 👉 Steroids suppress symptoms… but they don’t fix what’s driving your eczema.

We’re diving into:

• Why steroids and calcineurin inhibitors often lead to the “apply → improve → flare” cycle
• The real root causes of eczema (microbiome imbalance, barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation)
• How bacteria (Staph aureus) and yeast (Malassezia) drive flares
• The best non-steroid topicals backed by research:
  • Hypochlorous acid
  • Zinc pyrithione
  • Vitamin D, B12, B6, and niacinamide
• How to know which topical is right for YOUR eczema
• Why some “natural products” can actually make eczema worse
• Real case studies (including infants) showing what’s possible without steroids

✨ Plus, I share how I personalize topical treatments in my practice to target the root cause—not just calm symptoms.

If you’re ready to stop the cycle and start actually healing your skin—this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Want a full breakdown of these treatments + exact recommendations?
I wrote a detailed blog that walks you through this step-by-step:
🔗 https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/beyond-steroids-alternative-topical-treatments-that-actually-work

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

If you’re a parent watching your child struggle with scratching, bleeding, or sleepless nights from eczema, this episode is for you. In Episode 21 of Live with The Eczema Doc, Dr. Fong, a naturopathic doctor specializing in eczema, is joined by Cleanbody Practitioner and eczema expert Tori Taggart, MS, CNS. Together, they share ten of the most powerful lifestyle and nutrition tips they use with patients to help calm eczema naturally—often before medications or supplements are needed.

Instead of starting with creams or pills, Dr. Fong and Tori walk you through the foundational steps that create real change. You’ll learn how to keep an effective eczema journal to track food, skin photos, bowel movements, mood, and flares so you can finally see patterns. You’ll also uncover how processed “kid foods,” sugary drinks, and constant snacking quietly fuel gut inflammation—and how to rebuild the skin from the inside out with rainbow-colored, fiber-rich, gut-healing meals.

This episode also covers hydration, daily bowel movements, toxin reduction, gentle topicals, clean water, clean air, and the simple routines that help kids sleep better and itch less. These steps are where healing begins for both kids and adults.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why journaling is step one—and exactly what to track
• How processed snacks fuel inflammation and flares
• What a true gut-healing, rainbow-rich plate looks like
• How to use urine color to monitor hydration
• Why daily movement and outdoor play support detoxification
• How sleep, nervous system calm, and routine affect itch
• When to avoid certain oils that worsen fungal/yeast-driven eczema
• How toxins from plastics, fragrances, and cleaners impact the skin
• The importance of clean water for drinking and bathing
• Why indoor air quality matters for sensitive skin

Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/the-eczema-doc-s-top-tips-to-start-healing-eczema-naturally?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Fong, ND — The Eczema Doc — and Clean Body practitioner Tori Taggart, MS, CNS, reveal why so many babies and children struggle with eczema and why symptoms often come back even after steroids, antibiotics, or prescription creams. We break down the root causes most pediatricians miss and explain how to start true healing from the inside out.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why conventional eczema treatments don’t create lasting relief
 • How birth factors and early microbiome disruption contribute to eczema
 • The role of toxins from pregnancy, home products, food, and environment
 • What “leaky skin” means and why babies’ skin barriers are naturally weaker
 • Early signs to look for — and what they really mean
 • The first simple steps parents can take this week to reduce flares
 • How journaling, nutrition basics, cleaning products, and nervous system support make a difference
 • When testing and targeted protocols become important

If you’ve ever wondered why your child’s eczema isn’t improving — or what else you should be looking for — this episode gives you the clarity and direction to begin root-cause healing.

Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/eczema-in-kids?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast

💙 FREE Kids’ Eczema Guide

Download Dr. Fong’s free Kids’ Eczema Guide with step-by-step tips, symptom trackers, and the key questions every parent should be asking.
 👉 https://www.cleanbody.health/eczematools

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Is your “eczema” actually being driven by fungus? In this episode, Dr. Fong and Cleanbody practitioner and expert, Tori Taggart, MS, CNS, LDN, unpack the three fungal drivers they see most in clinic—Malassezia on skin, Candida in the gut, and environmental mold—and how they overlap to create relentless flares. You’ll learn how to spot “yeast mapping,” which oils calm vs. feed Malassezia, when to test (stool, OAT, IgE/IgG, mycotoxins, skin scrapings), and smart anti-fungal nutrition swaps that don’t wreck your microbiome.

What you’ll learn

• Skin signs that hint “this is yeast,” not just dermatitis
• Why certain oils & butters (olive, jojoba, shea, cocoa, etc.) can feed Malassezia—and safer options (MCT C8–C10, squalane)
• How Candida overgrowth (post-antibiotics, stress, sugar) drives leaky gut → immune flares on skin
• Mold 101: where it hides (bath, HVAC, basements), who’s more sensitive, and simple at-home screening before you hire a pro
• Testing map: when to pair stool + OAT, consider serum IgE, and environmental checks
• Food as medicine: anti-fungal choices (garlic, herbs, fiber, non-starchy veg) and what to pause short-term (sugars, juices/dried fruit, alcohol, kombucha/yeasty ferments)
• Topicals that align with a fungal plan: kill & replenish (gentle antimicrobials + probiotic skin support)

🧪 Ready for a tailored plan? Book an Eczema Evaluation — $47 with code AWARE (normally $97) through Oct 31.

Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode.

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Do your eczema flares get worse before your period, during stressful seasons, or after having a baby? 👀
 If so, your hormones may be the hidden trigger.

In this episode of Live with The Eczema Doc, Dr. Fong breaks down how hormonal imbalances—from estrogen dominance to high cortisol, thyroid shifts, and even testosterone changes—can directly impact your skin barrier, inflammation levels, and healing process.

You’ll learn:

• Why period flares often mean estrogen and progesterone are out of balance
• How stress hormones like cortisol flip from calming to inflaming the skin
• The surprising thyroid–eczema connection most doctors overlook
• Why both men and women need to check hormones when eczema won’t budge
• The right tests (and timing!) to uncover hidden imbalances
• Practical steps to support hormone balance while you heal your skin

Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/hormones_and_eczema?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast

✨ Ready to uncover whether your hormones are driving your eczema?

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Many people with eczema also share their lives with beloved pets—and the thought of giving them up can feel devastating. But can you really keep your furry (or feathery) family member and still heal your skin?

In this episode of Live with the Eczema Doc, Dr. Diane Fong, ND, dives deep into the connection between pet allergies and eczema. You’ll learn:

• 📊 Pet allergy statistics and why people with eczema are far more prone to reactions.
• 🐶🐱 Types of allergens from cats, dogs, birds, rodents, and more—including dander, saliva, sebaceous secretions, urine, and feather dust.
• ❌ Why “hypoallergenic” pets are a myth (and what’s actually happening when a breed seems easier to tolerate).
• 🧬 How genetics, environmental toxins, diet, mold, parasites, and overall inflammatory load all amplify pet-related allergies.
• 🧪 Testing options for identifying true pet allergies.
• 🏡 Practical, step-by-step strategies to reduce allergen exposure in your home without necessarily giving up your pet—such as air filters, neutralizing sprays, grooming practices, and cleaning techniques.
• 🔑 The Cleanbody Funnel Approach: how lowering your overall toxic and inflammatory burden can improve immune regulation and reduce allergic responses over time.

Dr. Fong also shares her own story of struggling with severe cat and dog allergies—and how healing her body lowered her sensitivity dramatically. Whether you’re trying to decide if your pet is a hidden trigger or just need strategies to coexist more comfortably, this episode offers compassionate, research-backed guidance.

✨ Read the blog on this topic here: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/are-pet-allergies-causing-your-eczema-symptoms

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Do you have toxic skin? If you’re struggling with stubborn eczema that isn’t responding to creams, diets, or even functional medicine protocols — hidden heavy metal toxicity could be the missing piece.

In Episode #16 of Live with the Eczema Doc, Dr. Fong explores how toxic burden from heavy metals like mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum may be silently disrupting your detox pathways, hormones, and immune system — ultimately inflaming your skin.

You’ll learn:

• What “toxic burden” really means (and why your body’s funnel might be clogged)
• The most common sources of heavy metal exposure in daily life (yes, even your cookware, deodorant, and bed sheets!)
• How heavy metals disrupt your endocrine system, trigger oxidative stress, and worsen eczema
• Why sweating, itching, or fatigue during flares might actually be signs of toxic overload
• Which labs and functional medicine tests can reveal hidden toxicity (urine, challenge tests, hair, stool, and more)
• Dr. Fong’s 4-phase Cleanbody Method to safely reduce toxic burden without crashing your system
• Why jumping into a detox too early can worsen eczema and even land you in the ER — and how to do it the right way

✨ Plus: Get practical steps to clean up your home, products, food, and water to start reducing exposure today.

🔗 Mentioned in the episode:

• Free Eczema Root Cause Assessment
• Cleanbody Product Recommendations
• EWG Tap Water
• EWG Skin Deep
• EWG Seafood Consumer Guide

Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode.

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

If your eczema keeps flaring—especially on your face, neck, or scalp—despite trying every cream under the sun, you might be missing two of the biggest hidden troublemakers: Staph aureus and Malassezia. In this episode of Live with the Eczema Doc, Dr. Fong dives deep into how these bacteria and yeast silently disrupt your skin barrier, trigger inflammation, and make healing nearly impossible without the right root-cause approach.

You’ll learn:

• Why 90% of eczema sufferers have an overgrowth of Staph aureus—and how to test for it
• What Malassezia is (hint: it loves oil!) and why your favorite moisturizer might be making things worse
• How diet (especially sugar!), sweat, and a damaged microbiome contribute to overgrowth
• The difference between oil-based and water-based topicals—and which one is right for your skin
• Natural solutions, including topical sprays, microbiome support, and how to tell if you need antifungal vs. antibacterial care

Whether you’ve been stuck in a cycle of antibiotics, are still itchy despite "natural" treatments, or just want real answers—this episode is your wake-up call to start treating the right root cause.

🎧 Tune in to finally understand how to stop feeding the bugs—and start healing your skin from within.

Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/eczema-s-biggest-troublemakers-staph-and-malassezia?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Could your daily sugar intake be silently sabotaging your skin? In this episode of Live with the Eczema Doc, Dr. Fong breaks down the powerful connection between sugar, inflammation, and eczema—and why even “healthy” sugars could be causing flare-ups.

You’ll learn:

• Why all types of sugar—including carbs and fruit—can impact eczema
• How insulin resistance and blood sugar spikes fuel chronic inflammation
• The shocking link between eczema and type 2 diabetes (and what that means for your skin)
• How sugar affects your gut microbiome and contributes to leaky gut
• The best ways to balance your plate to keep blood sugar stable (hint: it’s not just about cutting carbs!)
• How to eat your meals in the right order to prevent flares
• Easy swaps and sugar-conscious meals for eczema healing
• Testing options: glucose, A1C, HOMA-IR, and continuous glucose monitors

Whether you're struggling with flare-ups, navigating your child’s eczema, or just curious about how sugar could be playing a hidden role, this episode gives you practical steps and science-backed insights to take control of your health—starting with your plate.

Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/how-sugar-impacts-eczema-reduce-flareups-with-smart-sugar-choices?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast

🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm

🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com

📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit

🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.