Category Archives: Eczema

Yuumi Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D., and Gabriel Nuez, M.D., the lead and senior authors of the new research on eczema and staph infections.

Oct. 31, 2013 - For the millions of people suffering from the intensely red, horribly itchy skin condition known as eczema (eksm), the only thing more maddening than their disease is the lack of understanding of what causes it, or makes it flare up from time to time. Now, a new finding made by University of Michigan Medical School researchers and their colleagues may bring that understanding closer and could help lead to better treatments.

In a paper published online in Nature, the team reports that a toxin produced by the common bacteria Staphylococcus aureus popularly known as staph causes immune-system cells in the skin to react in a way that produces eczema-like rashes.

The release of the molecule, called delta toxin, by staph bacteria caused immune-related mast cells in the skin to release tiny granules that cause inflammation. But this didnt occur when skin was exposed to staph strains that lacked the gene for delta toxin.

This link between a specific S. aureus toxin and mast cell degranulation suggests a very specific mechanism, though its not enough to suggest delta toxin from staph bacteria by itself causes eczema, says senior author and U-M professor Gabriel Nunez, M.D. Genetic vulnerability likely also plays a role, he says.

The finding was made in mice, so its too soon to say that the same effect occurs in humans who suffer from eczema, also called atopic dermatitis. But the researchers did find significant levels of staph delta toxin in skin samples taken from patients with eczema.

The researchers showed that delta toxin from staph bacteria caused immune-system cells called mast cells to "degranulate" -- or release granules that trigger inflammation. These electron microscope images clearly show the difference between mast cells with and without delta toxin exposure. (Click photo for larger view)

Nunez, lead author Yuumi Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D., co-author Naohiro Inohara, Ph.D., and their colleagues hope their finding provides a new avenue for developing treatments to help the 15 to 30 percent of children, and 5 percent of adults who have eczema.

Some including patients have previously noted that eczema patients who take antibiotics for other conditions experience a lessening of eczema symptoms. But antibiotics have many drawbacks as long-term therapies for a chronic condition such as eczema most of all, the threat of contributing to the already serious issue of multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and involved NIH researchers who study S. aureus. Nunez notes that the initial hint of a link came totally by chance, as an incidental finding in an unrelated mast cell study they were conducting. They zeroed in on the little-understood delta toxin and began exploring its power to provoke mast cells to cause inflammation.

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Eczema Skin Itch Linked to Staph Infection May Have Better Treatment Solution

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers who identified a link between staph infections and eczema-like skin rashes say their finding could improve understanding of eczema and help lead to better treatments for the itchy skin condition.

Experiments in mice showed that a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria caused immune system cells in the skin to react in a way that produced eczema-like rashes.

The release of what is called "delta toxin" by staph bacteria caused immune-related cells in the skin to release tiny granules that spur inflammation. This did not occur, however, when skin was exposed to staph strains that did not have the gene for delta toxin, the investigators found.

The study was published Oct. 30 in the journal Nature.

The link between this specific staph toxin and skin rashes suggests a very specific mechanism, but it's not enough to suggest that delta toxin from staph bacteria by itself causes eczema. It's likely that genetics also play a role, said study senior author Dr. Gabriel Nunez, a professor of academic pathology at the University of Michigan.

The discovery was made in mice, and it's too soon to know if the same effect occurs in people with eczema. The researchers did, however, find significant levels of staph delta toxin in skin samples taken from people with eczema.

"We know that 90 percent of patients with atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, have staph bacteria detectable on their skin," Nunez said in a university news release. "But until now, it has not been suspected that the contribution was primary. ... Now we have evidence that there may indeed be a direct link."

About 15 percent to 30 percent of children and 5 percent of adults have eczema.

-- Robert Preidt

Copyright 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Staph Bacteria May Play Role in Eczema-Like Rash, Mouse Study Finds

Newswise ANN ARBOR, Mich. For the millions of people suffering from the intensely red, horribly itchy skin condition known as eczema, the only thing more maddening than their disease is the lack of understanding of what causes it, or makes it flare up from time to time.

Now, a new finding made by University of Michigan Medical School researchers and their colleagues may bring that understanding closer and could help lead to better treatments.

In a paper in Nature, the team reports that a toxin produced by the common bacteria Staphylococcus aureus popularly known as staph causes immune-system cells in the skin to react in a way that produces eczema-like rashes.

The release of the molecule, called delta toxin, by staph bacteria caused immune-related mast cells in the skin to release tiny granules that cause inflammation. But this didnt occur when skin was exposed to staph strains that lacked the gene for delta toxin.

This link between a specific S. aureus toxin and mast cell degranulation suggests a very specific mechanism, though its not enough to suggest delta toxin from staph bacteria by itself causes eczema, says senior author and U-M professor Gabriel Nunez, M.D. Genetic vulnerability likely also plays a role, he says.

The finding was made in mice, so its too soon to say that the same effect occurs in humans who suffer from eczema, also called atopic dermatitis. But the researchers did find significant levels of staph delta toxin in skin samples taken from patients with eczema.

Nunez, lead author Yuumi Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D., co-author Naohiro Inohara, Ph.D., and their colleagues hope their finding provides a new avenue for developing treatments to help the 15 to 30 percent of children, and 5 percent of adults who have eczema.

Some including patients have previously noted that eczema patients who take antibiotics for other conditions experience a lessening of eczema symptoms. But antibiotics have many drawbacks as long-term therapies for a chronic condition such as eczema most of all, the threat of contributing to the already serious issue of multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, and involved NIH researchers who study S. aureus. Nunez notes that the initial hint of a link came totally by chance, as an incidental finding in an unrelated mast cell study they were conducting. They zeroed in on the little-understood delta toxin and began exploring its power to provoke mast cells to cause inflammation.

We know that 90 percent of patients with atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, have staph bacteria detectable on their skin, says Nunez, who is the Paul de Kruif Professor of Academic Pathology. But until now, it has not been suspected that the contribution was primary, because there was not a clear mechanistic link. Now we have evidence that there may indeed be a direct link.

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Staph Infections & Eczema: What's the Connection?

Inexpensive Remedies for Psoriasis and Eczema

By: Carol Kinney

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Inexpensive Remedies for Psoriasis and Eczema - Video

Day 9 of 12 Day Post Fasting Documentary, (Cure Sinusitis, Eczema and Belly Fat)
I gained 1.3lbs. I drank half a gallon of juice made up of 2 galia melons, 2 pounds of celery, 1 apple, 2 lemons, some ginger and 1 mango. I ate 1 roll, 5 chicken thighs and some guacamole....

By: Fasting Taurus

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Day 9 of 12 Day Post Fasting Documentary, (Cure Sinusitis, Eczema and Belly Fat) - Video

Day 5 of 12 Day Post Fasting Documentary, (Cure Sinusitis, Eczema and Belly Fat)
I lost 0.8lbs since yesterday. i drank 1/4 of a gallon of ginger, carrot, kale and mandarine. I ate I galia melon, 1 half of santa claus melon, 1 bowl of sauerkraut, 2 slices of sunflower...

By: Fasting Taurus

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Day 5 of 12 Day Post Fasting Documentary, (Cure Sinusitis, Eczema and Belly Fat) - Video

Nancy Dell: Foods reduce breast cancer; Coconut oil for eczema
1. What foods reduce breast cancer risk? 2. Does coconut oil help with eczema?

By: WWLP-22News

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Nancy Dell: Foods reduce breast cancer; Coconut oil for eczema - Video

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion: CHAPPED LIPS, FACIAL MOISTURIZER, PRIMER, ECZEMA AND MORE...
IF SEEING THIS ON MOBILE OR IPAD..I know there is a word over my face at the beginning, you can #39;t see where I catch it and make fun of myself 🙂 Skin MD #39;s website: http://www.skinmdnatural.com Fast...

By: LoriOver40

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Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion: CHAPPED LIPS, FACIAL MOISTURIZER, PRIMER, ECZEMA AND MORE... - Video

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Posted: Friday, October 25, 2013 8:13 am

Metal allergies may cause eczema or other skin conditions

Posted on October 25, 2013

Dear Pharmacist: I have eczema that comes and goes, and Im currently using a steroid cream which helps. I am sure when I stop the cream, it will return. Any advice? E.H., Tampa, Florida

Answer: There are many factors to consider when treating eczema, including the state of your digestive tract, immune system and what youre touching. First I would take high-quality probiotics because that helps both your digestive tract and immune system. Then I would eliminate common food triggers such as eggs, soy, wheat (gluten), dairy and corn.

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Metal allergies may cause eczema or other skin conditions

Metal allergies may cause eczema

Question: I have eczema that comes and goes, and Im currently using a steroid cream which helps. I am sure when I stop the cream, it will return. Any advice? E.H., Tampa, Florida

Answer: There are many factors to consider when treating eczema, including the state of your digestive tract, immune system and what youre touching. First I would take high-quality probiotics because that helps both your digestive tract and immune system. Then I would eliminate common food triggers such as eggs, soy, wheat (gluten), dairy and corn. Next, look at what youre touch.

Some of you react to metals that contain nickel which is in coins, necklaces, eyeglasses, watches, and rings, for example. A study published in the July 2012 issue of Contact Dermatitis that is called Coin exposure may cause allergic dermatitis.

We knew about this problem as far back as 1991, when a case report was published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology featuring a 48-year-old cashier with hand eczema and a genuine nickel allergy. Eczema is actually common in cashiers. If I had dyshidrotic eczema (hand eczema), I would stop counting out change, which I do this frequently, much to the annoyance of people standing behind me. If you are one of these folks, its easy to remedy. I suggest that you remove all your jewelry and not touch coins for a few weeks. Definitely avoid white gold and costume jewelry. Think about what you are touching, maybe a metallic pen, a cell phone, gear shifter, stainless steel pots or a laptop keyboard.

I found a product that tests for nickel in your items, so your skin doesnt have to. Its called The Nickel Solution Kit by Athena Allergy. You can also buy a little bottle of Nickel Guard from that company and paint it on your glasses or your jewelry to stop the rash you would normally get from these items.

Theres a prescription drug called Psorizide Forte that contains fumaric acid which blocks the skin cells from growing wildly; it contains a homeopathic form of nickel which desensitizes you to nickel. Also by prescription, Eczemol tablets by Plymouth Pharmaceuticals.

Thinking about a skin prick test or intradermal injections to gauge allergic reactions to metal? Um, can I just say no? Metal hypersensitivity blood tests are better. Visit http://www.melisa.org to find a suitable lab. The MELISA test detects sensitivities to gold, cobalt, chromium, palladium, titanium, tin, nickel, cadmium, mercury and others. This test may help someone with autism, scoliosis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis. Your physician orders the blood test for you. Theres much more including soothing creams, teas, home remedies and medications all in my Eczema: Itchin For A Cure book, only available for E-readers on Amazon. You should also peruse the website for the National Eczema Foundation at http://www.eczema.org.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. The information presented here is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any condition. Always consult your physician. Visit dearpharmacist.com.

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Ask The Pharmacist: Metal allergies may cause eczema