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Probiotics are a new way to help heal eczema from the inside out.

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Great news for Canadian parents who have children that suffer from eczema (aka atopic dermatitis). New research shows that doctors, pharmacists and families now have an additional treatment tool to consider for kids with moderate to severe eczema: probiotics.

Probiotics are a safe and effective way to help heal the irritated, itchy skin of atopic dermatitis. Probiotics are the good bacteria that naturally live in and on our bodies. Together with other live microorganisms, they form a microbiome. You may be familiar with probiotics already. Maybe youve heard about the friendly bacteria in yogurt, or bought some capsules when a stomach flu swept through your house. It can seem a little innovative to think a probiotic powder can dramatically affect the skin, but it makes sense once you know how it works.

So, how does it work?

It starts with the microbiome, which is unique to each person. When balanced, the microbiome works to help your body function smoothly.

When researchers studied kids with atopic dermatitis, they noticed that there was an imbalance in the microbiome of these kids, compared to kids who didnt have atopic dermatitis, explains Dr. Kevin Lee, a paediatrician in Markham, Ontario. The probiotics work by restoring balance to the gut microbiome, which ultimately results in influencing the immune response that occurs in eczema or atopic dermatitis. How does the microbiome get disrupted in the first place? Its most likely due to a combination of factors, including your birth environment (more microorganisms pass from mom to baby during a vaginal birth compared to a C-section for example) and the genetic makeup of the child, says Dr. Lee.

There are many different strains of probiotics available, with many different purposes. Some, for example, are used to treat colic in infants, says Dr. Lee. The probiotic strains that have been studied and found to successfully treat atopic dermatitis are Bifidobacterium lactis CECT 8145 (which features antioxidant properties), Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (which features anti-inflammatory properties) and Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104 (which also features antioxidant properties and promotes microbiome diversity in the gut). Theyre found in a product called ProZema, a small amount of flavourless powder that you mix once a day into food or liquids, for three months. Supported by research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology (JAMA Dermatology), ProZema is clinically proven to reduce the symptoms of eczema and atopic dermatitis.

Results show that after 12 weeks, 96% of patients have improved SCORAD results (the system that doctors use to evaluate the severity of eczema). They also had a better, balanced and more diverse microbiome status, and 91% of patients had cleared or almost cleared their symptoms.The clinical study also showed that there was no need for corticosteroids after six weeks of treatment.

Side effects are both mild and rare, says Dr. Lee, but can include bloating, constipation and/or gas. ProZema is gluten-free and lactose-free, doesnt contain any sugars or major allergens and can be used by kids ages four and up. It shouldnt be used in hot foods, which would destroy the live probiotics. If your child is immunocompromised or taking antibiotics, check with your doctor before using probiotics.

The standard treatments for eczema include topical steroids, antihistamines and calcineurin inhibitors. These do have side effects, so being able to cut down on using them is considered a bonus by many. As physicians, we are concerned about the overuse of the topical steroids because it can cause skin atrophy and that leads to skin discolouration, says Dr. Lee. Taking antihistamines for a long period of time can cause a tolerance for the medication to build up, requiring a higher dose. He adds, Its been very frustrating to treat eczema, as many parents will tell you. Nothing seems to work for some of these childrentheres always these recurrences of the eczema. And so we as doctors are always looking for something thats a little bit better, for something that can help their kids through this.

When your child is taking ProZema, its important to continue using the other treatments that your doctor has prescribed, says Dr. Lee. However, over time, he says, you will likely be able to cut back on the other medications your doctor has recommended. So if youre using, say, a topical corticosteroid, youll notice that you may be using less of it, and you may be using it less frequently. The eczema starts to settle down, and youre finding that the flareups are much, much, much less.

For more information on ProZema and whether it might be right for your child, visit their website.

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Theres a new tool that can help with your kids eczema - todaysparent.com

Spending more time at home has impacted the way we look after ourselves. The importance of handwashing has also become more crucial over the last year since it is considered a primary defense technique against COVID-19. It is not unknown that the pandemic has changed our lives completely. It has also brought about a significant change in our hand hygiene routines. As soon as we were hit with the pandemic, constant handwashing was reinforced as an effective way to combat the virus. This led us all being consciously aware and washing our hands frequently. As we indulge in the act of handwashing often we ignore the repercussions of the activity on the skin. A number of people complain about dryness, itchiness and other skin issues due to frequent washing off. As we indulge in handwashing throughout the day, the skin tends to lose moisture, therefore, becoming dry and rough. Handwashing coupled with the use of alcohol based sanitizers frequently can create a havoc on our skin. Although there is no predefined number adequate enough for handwashing, it is important to note that frequent handwashing can have the following effects on our skin, explains Dr. Jaishree Sharad, leading Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist. The specialist shares insights on what happens due to excessive handwashing.

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What does excessive handwashing do to your skin? - Times of India

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A humble bar of soap is perhaps the most important tool in your grooming regimen. Though often overlooked, soaps come in a staggering array of compositions, and packaging often touts a laundry-list of ingredients. Understanding the best soap to buy starts, first and foremost, by considering your skin type and analyzing the components of a soap to see what will suit your needs.

In technical terms, soap is a salt of a fatty acid. When vegetable or animal fats (triglycerides) are combined with an alkaline solution (e.g. lye), the triglycerides hydrolyze into soap. It seems complex, but soap production dates back thousands of years. The early processes for making soap combined boiled fats with ashes. Soap making became more complex as civilizations grew, and by the middle of the 15th-century, soap making was semi-industrialized in France. The post-Industrialization 19th-century saw the growth of the soap industry, but the next major innovation happened in 1916 when Germany developed synthetic detergents as a response to the shortage of fats due to the first World War. By the 1930s, Procter and Gamble developed a process that decreased soap production times to under a day, effectively cutting weeks from the process.

The industrialization of soap created the hard bars you now find at any big-box store or motel. Truth is, many of these conventional soaps are very harsh; theyre very alkaline and contain preservatives, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances that irritate the skin. Fortunately, there is now a wide range of soaps formulated to clean without irritating. While the processes and ingredients differ widely, the result is the same: a solid cleanser youll actually enjoy using every day.

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Best drugstore bar soap

Its one of the top bars of soap on Amazon for a reason. Its recommended by dermatologists for its mild formula which uses sodium lauroyl isethionate to leave your skin feeling moisturized and smooth. The creamy lather keeps your skins natural moisture barrier intact and its extremely cost-effective, even more so as part of Amazons subscribe-and-save option.

best bar soap for sensitive skin

Cetaphils Gentle Cleansing Bar is ideal for those experiencing skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and acne since it leaves out irritating detergents. Its mild formula leaves the skins natural moisture barrier intact and doesnt strip it of its natural oils while effectively cleansing the skin of dirt and grime.

best fair trade bar soap

Dr. Bronners line of Pure-Castile soaps are known for their granola approach to household products. Using all-natural and vegan ingredients like coconut oil, palm oil and olive oil, which have a number of beneficial properties for skin care, every option from its range of bar soaps is perfect for those who are earth-conscious and skin-conscious. The balanced blend of natural ingredients makes it safe to use for the body and face, and this eucalyptus scent is perfect for invigorating the skin and clearing the sinus.

best moisturizing bar soap

Nopalera blends botanicals,plant butters and oils, plus nopal (hence the name) into a line of super moisturizing bar soaps. It's hard to describe the way they melt into your skin. Sure, the suds do the dirty work, and then they wash away, but you're left with a luxe velvety top layer.

best soap-free bar soap

Pharrell Williams' product company,Humanrace, covers items for your skin, home and body (sneakers included, obviously). Its newest release, the Take a Moment Body Bar Set, comes with three bar soaps: twoReenergizing Whiteclay Body Barsand oneEnergy Channeling Charcoal Body Bar. They're both soap-free and work in tandem to moisturize, exfoliate and, as the name implies, energize your skin.

best smelling bar soap

This option from Ben Gorham's fragrance brand Byredo blends the simplicity of a classic bar soap with the scents of a designer parfum. The result is easy-to-use and could sub in for a few spritzes of your favorite cologne.

best 2-in-1 bar soap

Bravo Sierra posits its Hair and Body Solid Cleanser as a one-size-fits-all formula for both, as the name suggests, your body and your hair.Sure, there are others you could definitely do the same with, but this option has been thoroughly tested on both areas, which typically require very different treatment.

best exfoliating bar soap

Exfoliation is a vital part of any good skincare routine not only on your face but your body, too. Baxter of California mixespumice, jojoba meal and crushed olive seed oil into its bar soap mold for a textural yet refined rub.

best affordable bar soap

Harry's has made its way into a bunch of big box stores see: Target but it remains a solid option still. Its formulas are free from any major red flags, and the scents are quite nice. Plus, for $15 dollars you get four bars.

best bar soap for ingrown hairs

The Buffing Bar is intended for acne-prone bodies. It's a micro-crystal exfoliant designed to clear dead skin, ingrown hairs, body acne and other rough spots. Be careful to consider whether it's something you can scrub away, though. Issues like eczema can be exacerbated by exfoliants.

best smelling sensitive skin bar soap

Malin+Goetz founderMatthew Malin has long battled rosacea, eczema, seborrhea andfragrance allergies. It's why he launched the brand, to formulated sensitive skin-safe soaps with luxe signaturescents.

best shea butter bar soap

Marlowe opts for Shea Butter as the base of its Moisturizing Soap Bar, a straightforward option that eschews excess (either fragrance or additives) in favor of something that'll feel familiar to someone who's used the same bar since middle school.

best value exfoliating bar soap

Exfoliating bar soaps can be expensive. It's often because the textural additives are micro-crystals or meal, which can drive costs up. But Jack Black's Turbo Body Bar comes in a three-pack for just $30 dollars. That's cheap considering one of them sells for $15.

best bar soap for early risers

Do you turn to a cold shower to wake you up? It's a trick as old as time itself. Let Ursa Major's Morning MojoBar accelerate the process with its energizing peppermint scent and tingle.

best charcoal bar soap

Charcoal is a common ingredient in soapbecause it binds to dirt and sweat and clears the skin's surface, lessening the likelihood you'll break out. Oars+Alps' BlueCharcoalBar Soap has an added exfoliating component, which helps clear even the most caked on dirt and grime.

best mineral bar soap

Clay, like charcoal, can draw out impurities deep inside your skin's surface. The former, though, is far less harsh in my opinion. Haoma mixes clay with other earth-derived elements for a bar soap that's all-natural but absolutely effective.

best import bar soap

You know how toothpastes from abroad always seem so much cooler? The same can be said for bar soaps, and especially this one from Tangent, a French apothecary brand. It's organic, all-natural and scented with a complex fir fragrance.

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The Best Bar Soaps for Every Skin Type - gearpatrol.com

Photo: W+G Creative Editorial-Best Foundations for Psoriasis-beauty

Choosing to apply foundation over psoriasis is a personal choice, but if it's something you've tried on your own psoriatic skin, you're likely familiar with the challenges it presents. With the wrong product, there's ample opportunity for dryness, irritation, and all-around discomfort. Luckily, Annie Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami is here to share what you need to know about the best foundations for psoriasis.

"Applying foundation to skin with active psoriasis can be challenging," says Dr. Gonzalez. "Plaque psoriasis has scales that can be uncomfortable and easily irritated. The last thing you want to do is to make the psoriasis look or feel drier... which can happen if you apply it incorrectly."

When putting foundation on top of psoriasis, Dr. Gonzalez suggests applying as little makeup as possible. To do this, start with a light layer of buildable foundation, then add more in small increments so you don't overdo it. Plus, you should avoid applying makeup to any open lesions or scars.

"For covering up psoriasis, choose liquid-based cosmetics rather than powder-based ones, which can be drying and accentuate skin flaking," she says. "Also, look for fragrance-free products, which are less likely to irritate your skin. She adds that you might want to avoid foundation with pink undertones as those can accentuate any redness the psoriasis is causing.

Below, shop five of the best foundations for psoriasis.

Este Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation $43.00

Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Southern California, is a huge fan of this product for psoriatic skin. She says its great for long-lasting coverage, and is designed to stay in place for up to 24 hours.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation $35.00

For heavier coverage, I like Fix Fluid from MAC, says Dr. Gonzalez. Red areas are hard to cover while still looking natural. This foundation does a great job with that. Its the closest to an oil-free foundation that MAC makes, and it helps to control oil skin while providing a matte finish. It sinks into the skin nicely with buildable coverage.

Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream $50.00

Dr. Chi also loves Jane Iredale products for those with psoriasis. This BB Cream was designed with sensitive skin in mind, and is formulated with soothing aloe and hydrating sunflower seed oil to keep skin calm, nourished, and irritation-free.

Tower 28 Beauty SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation $30.00

This tinted sunscreen is the only complexion product to have the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association, meaning its free of common irritants. Though eczema and psoriasis are different conditions, the ingredients precautions one needs to take with each are similar, which makes this a great pick for those with psoriasis.

Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Foundation $44.00

This derm-developed product is a great lightweight, buildable foundation that has been tested on sensitive skin. One drop goes a long way, allowing you to get the most out of the formula.

Learn more about caring for psoriasis:

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'I'm a Dermatologist and These Are the Only Foundations You Should Use if You Have Psoriasis' - msnNOW

UNC-Chapel Hill and UC San Francisco scientists have published work in Nature, laying the groundwork for better anti-itching medications with fewer side effects. The work was led by UNC School of Medicine scientists Bryan L. Roth, MD, PhD, Jonathan Fay, PhD, and Can Cao, PhD.

CHAPEL HILL, NC Ever wonder whats going on when you get itchy skin, whether from a rash or medication or some other bodily reaction? And why do some strong anti-itching medications make us nauseous, dry-mouthed zombies? Scientists at the UNC School of Medicine and the University of California at San Francisco conducted research showing in precise detail how chemicals bind to mast cells to cause itch, and the scientists figured out the detailed structure of receptor proteins on the surface of these cells when a compound is bound to those proteins.

This work, published in Nature, was led by the labs of Bryan L. Roth, MD, PhD and Jonathan Fay, PhD at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Brian Shoichet, PhD, at UC San Francisco, co-senior authors who have collaborated on previous studies of important cell receptors protein complexes that chemicals (including drugs) bind to cause or stop a reaction inside cells.

Our work provides a template for the design of new anti-itch medications, said Roth, the Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology. Also, our research team did a truly remarkable job showing precisely how chemically distinct compounds induce itching through one of two distinct receptors known to be involved in itching.

First author Can Cao, PhD, a postdoctoral research in the Roth lab, and co-senior author Jonathan Fry, PhD, now an assistant professor in the UNC Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, led the experiments during the COVID pandemic.

On the surface of cells sit receptor proteins you can think of as complex locks. When a chemical key enters the lock, not only does the cell open, but the chemical causes a chain reaction of signals inside cells. Many chemicals do this, from naturally occurring dopamine in the brain to caffeine and cocaine.

When it comes to itch, Roths lab identified two receptors called MRGPRX2 on the surface of mast cells and MRGPRX4 on itch-sensing neurons that live in connective tissue and play roles in allergies, immune tolerance, wound healing and other factors in health and disease.

Several drugs unintentionally flood these receptors to trigger the release of histamines, causing the side effect of itching. Drugs such as

nateglinide for diabetes, as well as morphine, codeine, and the cough suppressant dextromethorphan are known to cause this reaction. Antihistamines are designed to tamp down the itch response, but they and other anti-itching medications do so clumsily, tripping other cell signaling pathways to cause side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, nausea, etc.

The researchers used the experimental technique electron microscopy to create high-resolution maps of these complex receptor proteins when bound to a compound that causes the release of histamines to cause itchiness. They also clarified how drugs bind to MRGPRX4 to cause itch related to various drugs and liver diseases. The researchers used the CryoEM Core Facility at UNC-Chapel Hill to determine the receptor structures.

Knowing precisely how all this plays out at the molecular level will help us and others create better ways to control the role of these two receptors in itchiness and other conditions, Roth said.

MRGPRX2 and MRGPRX4 have also been implicated in inflammation arising from the nervous system, eczema, ulcerative colitis, and pain.

The relatively potent agonists and antagonists described in our Nature paper provide chemical probes we can use to explore the biology of these receptors, Roth said, And the structures we revealed so far should accelerate the search for specific medications targeting MRGPRs.

The National Institutes of Health funded this research.

Media contact: Mark Derewicz, 919-923-0959

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Researchers Reveal Structure of Itch Receptors on Cells | Newsroom - UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine