Staph’s secret superpower and their accomplice Streptococcus

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 discussedTapinarof Improved Outcomes and Sleep for Patients and Families in Two Phase 3 Atopic Dermatitis Trials in Adults and ChildrenMaximal usage trial of tapinarof cream 1% once daily in pediatric patients down to 2 years of age with extensive atopic dermatitisTapinarof 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 trialsTapinarof cream in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults a systematic review and meta-analysisEfficacy 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 discussedConsumer Preferences, Product Characteristics, and Potentially Allergenic Ingredients in Best-selling MoisturizersEarly Life Cheek Skin Barrier Changes are Associated with Atopic Dermatitis DevelopmentPrevention 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 discussedClinical remission and therapy-free remission in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumabFactors Associated with Remission of Eczema in ChildrenPersistence 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 mentionedInvestigation of Berberine's Potential in Attenuating Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Inflammatory ResponsesInvestigation of In vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Effects of BerberineEffect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in moderate-to-severe eczema in clinic and animal model: beyond corticosteroidsTraditional Chinese medicine for food allergy and eczemaEffect of traditional Chinese medicine on skin lesions and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe eczemaEfficacy 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 mentionedMultidisciplinary interventions in the management of atopic dermatitisAtopic dermatitis: therapeutic care delivery: therapeutic education, shared decision-making, and access to careImproving patient education for atopic dermatitisResourcesECZHALE wellness hubSupport for Eczema CaregiversTreatment 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 mentionedProbiotic for pathogen-specific Staphylococcus aureus decolonisation in Thailand: a phase 2, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trialCommensal 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 cohortSkin microbiota analysis-inspired development of novel anti-infectivesCombined antibiotic, steroid, and moisturizer for atopic dermatitis: A two‐year case series of patient‐reported outcomes

Korey Capozza travels to Spain for the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress where she speaks to researchers that are trying to explain the allergy epidemic and what we can do about it. Highlights: Dr. Magdalena Zemelka-Wiacek (Poland) explains microplastics cause inflammation. Tami Landau (Israel) uses “big data” to determine which children will develop eczema, and Dr Thomas Bieber (Germany) accesses the German Biobank to understand why some children go into remission.   Research MentionedMechanisms of gut epithelial barrier impairment caused by food emulsifiers polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80 Follow-up to adolescence after early peanut introduction for allergy prevention The potential impact of nano-and microplastics on human health: Understanding human health risksBiomarkers for phenotype-endotype relationship in atopic dermatitisDevelopment of a predictive model for pediatric atopic dermatitis

Frustrated by eczema care that ignores patient priorities? New guidelines from the medical societies for allergists and immunologists may help change that. These guidelines were informed by the views of eczema patients and caregivers and based in evidence (hallelujah!). We chat with the guideline co-authors Dr. Lynda Schneider, founder and director of the Atopic Dermatitis Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Derek Chu, director of  the challenge clinic for allergy diagnosis, research and treatment at McMaster University, about some of the new and surprising ideas they recommend. (And if you like our podcast, consider supporting it with a tax deductible donation). Read the transcript.Research mentionedAtopic dermatitis guidelines: 2023 Is Food-Triggered Atopic Dermatitis a Form of Systemic Contact Dermatitis?