Eczema, which is characterised by itchy, inflamed skin, is renowned for being hard to cure. But a new scientific breakthrough means that we could be one step closer to a definitive cure for eczema, which affects one on four children and often continues in adulthood.
[quote] Researchers have found a way of destroying a strain of yeast thought to trigger eczema, without harming healthy skin cells.[/quote]
A study at Stockholm University focused on a specific skin yeast called Malassezia sympodialis, which often leads to infection in eczema lesions, causing itching, inflammation and redness. The scientists used 21 different anti-fungal peptides to see what affect they had on the yeast. Six were found to kill the yeast without harming healthy skin, meaning a tailored peptide cocktail could be used to kill the fungus that can exacerbate eczema symptoms.
Firstly this was a report on some univeristy reasearch. The gap between research studies and an actual product being developed for sale can be a very long process, if in fact a product is ever the end result of such reasearch. Unfortunately stringent regulations tend to get in the way of many products being developed, even though there is very good evidence and reasearch to suggest that they would be benefical.
Secondly, yeast infections do not directly cause eczema but they can either be a contributing trigger for it, or can be a secondary problem. Eczema is inherent so if you have it then you have it. But flare ups can be triggered by a number of different factors.
Any weakening or trauma to the skin barrier, which is already weak in eczema sufferers, can cause an eczema flare up. So a yeast infection on the skin can cause eczema to flare.
In addition certain types of skin yeast find it easy to flourish in areas of weakened skin, so if eczema is present, often yeast can get in and mutiply at the skin trauma sites of the eczema.
The problem is how ot fight the fungus without making the eczema worse! Many anti-fungal agents present in anti-fungal skin treatments are very harsh and can make eczema worse by drying out the skin even more.
The best way to ensure yeast does not enter the eczema site is to keep the area disinfected and clean. The same goes for if eczema is not present. By keeping the surface of the skin regularly disinfected with a non-chemical anti-microbial skin cream or wash, you reduce the risk of letting yeast develop.
In additiion if you have eczema you should take special care to always dry well after bathing areas where yeast tends to flourish, which is between the toes, under the arm pits, in cracks of the elbow and behind the knees, in the groin area, between the buttocks and on the scalp.
This article sounds very interesting, but I would really like to know if the treatment will be available at some time? I would also like to clarify if there is a link with yeast and Psoriasis?
Many thanks
Rob Shergold, Cheshire, UK