How does candida overgrowth in the gut contribute to eczema symptoms. What are the main causes of candida-related eczema. Can dietary changes help manage eczema and candida infections. How effective are topical treatments for eczema caused by candida.

The True Nature of Eczema: More Than Skin Deep

Contrary to popular belief, eczema is not primarily a skin condition. While its symptoms manifest on the skin as red, flaky, and irritated patches, the root cause lies much deeper within the body. Specifically, eczema is often linked to inflammation in the digestive tract and an overgrowth of candida, a type of yeast naturally present in our gut.

This revelation challenges conventional approaches to eczema treatment, which typically focus on topical remedies. Understanding the gut-skin connection is crucial for developing more effective strategies to manage eczema and provide long-lasting relief.

The Role of Candida in Eczema Development

Candida is a genus of yeasts that normally exists in small amounts within the human digestive system. However, when candida populations grow out of control, they can lead to a condition known as candidiasis. Research indicates that over 90,000 people in the United States are affected by candida overgrowth annually.

The specific strain of candida associated with eczema is Candida krusei. When this yeast proliferates excessively, it produces toxins that can be absorbed through the gut and transported to various regions of the skin. The body then attempts to eliminate these toxins through the skin, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of eczema.

Identifying the Culprits: Diet and Antibiotic Exposure

Two primary factors contribute to the development of candida-related eczema: diet and excessive exposure to antibiotics. Let’s examine each of these factors in detail:

The Impact of Diet on Candida Growth

A diet high in sugar provides an ideal environment for candida to thrive. Consuming excessive amounts of refined sugars, processed foods, and simple carbohydrates can fuel candida overgrowth in the gut. This dietary pattern is increasingly common in modern societies, potentially explaining the rising prevalence of eczema and other candida-related conditions.

Antibiotic and Hormone Exposure

Frequent use of antibiotics, whether through direct prescription or consumption of antibiotic-treated animal products, can disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria. This disruption creates an opportunity for candida to proliferate. Similarly, exposure to hormones, often through meat and dairy products, can contribute to candida overgrowth.

It’s important to note that even infants can develop eczema due to candida overgrowth. In these cases, the condition is typically passed from mother to child in utero, highlighting the importance of maternal gut health during pregnancy.

Beyond Eczema: Candida’s Far-Reaching Effects

While eczema is a well-known manifestation of candida overgrowth, it’s far from the only one. The diverse strains of candida can contribute to a wide range of health issues, including:

• Acne
• Dandruff
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Psoriasis

Each strain of candida may target specific regions of the skin for toxin removal, explaining why different individuals may experience varying symptoms or affected areas.

Rethinking Eczema Treatment: A Holistic Approach

Given the internal origins of eczema, it’s clear that topical treatments alone are insufficient for long-term management of the condition. While products like Osmosis Rescue can provide temporary relief for skin irritation, addressing the root cause requires a more comprehensive strategy.

Challenges in Treating Candida Overgrowth

Controlling candida overgrowth is not a simple task. Traditional antifungal medications often come with significant side effects and can be toxic to the liver and other organs. As a result, alternative approaches are gaining popularity among healthcare practitioners and patients alike.

Innovative Treatment Options

Some companies, like Osmosis, are exploring novel treatments such as frequency-enhanced water to combat candida without the side effects associated with conventional antifungals. These approaches aim to be effective across all age groups, making them potentially suitable for both infant and adult eczema.

Complementary Strategies for Managing Candida and Eczema

In addition to targeted treatments, several complementary strategies can support the management of candida-related eczema:

1. Probiotic supplementation to promote a healthy gut microbiome
2. Consumption of caprylic acid, a natural antifungal compound
3. Dietary modifications to reduce sugar intake and support gut health
4. Stress reduction techniques to support overall immune function

While these approaches can be beneficial when combined with primary treatments, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your eczema management routine.

The Importance of Preventing Skin Infections in Eczema Patients

Individuals with eczema are particularly susceptible to skin infections due to the compromised barrier function of their skin. The epidermis, or top layer of skin, often shows visible damage in the form of cracks and areas opened up by scratching. This damage, along with less visible protective factors, increases the risk of secondary infections.

Common Types of Skin Infections in Eczema Patients

Eczema patients may experience various types of skin infections, including:

• Bacterial infections, most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus
• Fungal infections
• Viral infections

These infections require prompt intervention, as they do not typically improve on their own. Early recognition and treatment of infections lead to better outcomes and faster relief of symptoms.

Strategies for Preventing Skin Infections

Preventing infections is a crucial aspect of eczema management. Some effective prevention strategies include:

1. Proper hand hygiene before applying topical treatments
2. Regular use of moisturizers to maintain skin barrier function
3. Avoiding scratching or rubbing the affected areas
4. Using antiseptic products as recommended by a healthcare provider
5. Keeping nails short and clean to minimize damage from scratching

By implementing these preventive measures, eczema patients can reduce their risk of developing secondary infections and improve their overall skin health.

The Gut-Skin Axis: A New Frontier in Eczema Research

The connection between gut health and skin conditions like eczema is becoming increasingly recognized in the medical community. This relationship, known as the gut-skin axis, offers new insights into the development and management of eczema and other skin disorders.

How Gut Health Influences Skin Conditions

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating immune function and inflammation throughout the body. When the balance of gut bacteria is disrupted, it can lead to systemic inflammation that manifests in various ways, including skin conditions like eczema.

Furthermore, a compromised gut barrier can allow toxins and inflammatory compounds to enter the bloodstream, potentially triggering or exacerbating skin symptoms. This phenomenon, often referred to as “leaky gut,” may be a key factor in the development of candida-related eczema.

Implications for Eczema Treatment and Management

Understanding the gut-skin axis has significant implications for the treatment and management of eczema:

• Dietary interventions may be more important than previously thought
• Probiotics and prebiotics could play a role in managing eczema symptoms
• Addressing gut health may be crucial for long-term eczema control
• Personalized treatment plans based on individual gut microbiome profiles may become more common

As research in this area continues to evolve, we can expect to see more integrated approaches to eczema treatment that address both skin symptoms and underlying gut health issues.

The Future of Eczema Treatment: Personalized Medicine and Microbiome Modulation

As our understanding of the complex relationships between the gut microbiome, candida overgrowth, and eczema deepens, the future of eczema treatment looks increasingly personalized and holistic. Emerging approaches focus on modulating the microbiome to achieve long-term symptom relief and improved overall health.

Advancements in Microbiome Testing and Analysis

New technologies are making it possible to analyze an individual’s gut microbiome in unprecedented detail. This information can be used to create tailored treatment plans that address specific imbalances or overgrowths, such as candida.

Targeted Probiotics and Prebiotics

Research is ongoing into the development of specific probiotic strains and prebiotic compounds that can help restore balance to the gut microbiome and combat candida overgrowth. These targeted interventions may prove more effective than general probiotic supplements in managing eczema symptoms.

Microbiome Transplantation

While still in its early stages, microbiome transplantation – the transfer of beneficial gut bacteria from a healthy donor to a patient – shows promise in treating various conditions, including some skin disorders. This approach may eventually be adapted for use in managing candida-related eczema.

Integration of Traditional and Modern Approaches

The future of eczema treatment is likely to involve a combination of traditional topical treatments, dietary interventions, and cutting-edge microbiome modulation techniques. This integrated approach aims to address both the symptoms and root causes of eczema for more comprehensive and lasting relief.

As research progresses, patients with eczema can look forward to more effective, personalized treatment options that target the underlying causes of their condition, including candida overgrowth and gut dysbiosis. By addressing these fundamental issues, it may be possible to achieve long-term management or even resolution of eczema symptoms, improving quality of life for millions of individuals worldwide.

Eczema and Candida Connection

Unfortunately for many, eczema is a constant battle. The search for the most sensitive skin care products—even fabrics—that help relieve irritation can often be ongoing and frustrating, not to mention the discomfort and the diligence it takes to monitor triggers. Osmosis focuses on the cause of eczema, which is actually inflammation in the digestive tract, one of the many things you may not have known. As you seek relief, let the real facts about eczema guide you.

1. Eczema is not a skin condition.

Yes, it’s true that eczema shows up as red, flaky, irritated skin in people of all ages. However, the cause of eczema is from candida overgrowth in the gut, so it is not really a problem with the function of the skin. In fact, the skin is actually acting as a detox organ, and the redness and flaking skin result from the skin pushing candida toxins out.

2. Your diet and excess exposure to antibiotics are likely to blame for eczema.

Candida is a type of yeast that is found naturally in the gut. More than 90,000 people a year in the U.S. are affected by overgrowth of candida, which is called candidiasis (d’Enfert, Hube 2007). The main reasons for this epidemic include a diet heavy in sugar and excess exposure to hormones and antibiotics through meat and dairy products primarily, but also through frequent use of prescribed antibiotics and hormones.

3. Candida may also cause other skin issues like acne and dandruff.

Candida is not commonly considered in many medical conditions, but with over 58 strains, it actually can be the cause of many conditions. The strain specific to eczema is Candida krusei (Sakharuk 2013). Other strains may cause acne, IBS, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and much more. The toxins are absorbed in the gut and carried to specific regions of the skin for removal based on their specific location in the gut.

4. Even infants are subject to the same strains.

Infant eczema occurs before exposure to many of the sugars, antibiotics and hormones because it is passed on from the mother in utero. Child and adult eczema are usually related to the common causes mentioned.

5. To treat eczema, topical products won’t be not enough.

Most people focus their attention topically. While we like the use of Osmosis Rescue to provide relief to the skin, it does not treat the source of the problem from the inside. Unfortunately, candida overgrowth is not easy to control. Osmosis uses a special frequency-enhanced water to be effective against candida without side effects or age restrictions. Other options like probiotics, caprylic acid and dietary changes are never a bad addition to the Osmosis strategy. Antifungals come with their own set of side effects that can be quite toxic to the liver (amongst other organs) and are therefore not recommended.

References:

1) dEnfert C; Hube B (editors) (2007).

 Candida: Comparative and Functional Genomics. Caister Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-904455-13-4.

2) Sakharuk, N A NA (2013). “[The role of various Candida species in oral candidiasis etiology in psoriasis and eczema patients].” Stomatologija (Moskva) (0039-1735), 92 (4), p. 31.

 *Content on this blog post is not considered a medical advice. Please see a physician before making any medical or lifestyle changes.*

Infections and Eczema | National Eczema Society

Skin infections and eczema

Introduction

Bacterial infections

Fungal infections

Viral infections

Common childhood infections and infestations

Preventing infection

Introduction

Skin infections are common in people with eczema and it is highly likely that at some point you will experience either a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. All of these infections require intervention to clear them up as they do not improve on their own. The quicker the infection is recognised and the sooner treatment is started, the better the response to treatment will be. Preventing infection is also important – from simple hand-washing before applying your creams to more sophisticated methods using antiseptics.

When you have eczema, the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) is often damaged. This damage can be visible to the naked eye, appearing as cracks and areas opened up by scratching. There is also less protection within the skin, which you cannot see. These alterations in the barrier function of the skin increase the potential for skin infection. Infections that develop because of the underlying condition of eczema are often described as ‘secondary infections’.

Bacterial infections

The skin is the most important protection we have against infection as it provides a barrier that prevents the billions of bacteria found on our skin from entering the body.

Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus) is the bacterium that is most commonly responsible for secondary infection of eczema. It is often associated with hair follicle infections (folliculitis), boils and abscesses. ‘Impetiginized eczema’ is another label or name given to eczema infected with Staph. aureus. When the bacteria penetrate the epidermis, an immune reaction can be triggered, which aggravates the eczema and brings about a flare.

Initially, eczema infected by Staph. aureus will appear itchy and red or darker than your usual skin colour, depending on skin tone. If you look closely in natural light, you might see a tangerine glisten to the skin – a little bit like orange body shimmer dust. As the infection progresses, weeping and crusting with a yellow/golden tinge will be evident.

Bacterial skin infections are treated with antibiotics, either topically (applied to the skin) using a cream, or orally (by mouth) in the form of tablets or a liquid suspension. Whether the doctor gives you a topical or oral treatment depends on the size of the affected area/s and number of places where the infection occurs. It is important when treating the infection with a cream that you apply it consistently and for the prescribed duration (in the same way you would take a course of oral antibiotics). Topical antibiotics should not be used for longer than 14 days due to the risk of bacterial resistance.

Skin infections can sometimes be caused by a resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus such as methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA), often referred to as a ‘superbug’ in the media. If you are not responding to antibiotics, a skin swab should be taken to confirm the strain of bacteria and the antibiotics to which it is sensitive. MRSA bacteria are usually spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has an MRSA infection or has the bacteria living on their skin. MRSA can also be spread through contact with everyday objects such as towels, sheets, taps, surfaces and door handles.

There are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of picking this up:

• Careful hand-washing before applying your emollients and treatments.
• When visiting a clinic or hospital, use the hand gels available beside doorways and report any unclean toilet or bathroom facilities to the staff.

Fortunately, MRSA bacteria are not resistant to all antibiotics, so MRSA infections can be treated. Skin infections due to MRSA are usually treated with antibiotics in tablet form, or sometimes injections if the infection is widespread.

Fungal infections

As with bacteria, certain fungi live naturally on everyone’s skin. There are two main fungal infections that infect people with eczema. One is caused by candida, a yeast that thrives in warm, moist areas of the body such as under the arm, groin, and the neck area in children. The other type originates from moulds called dermatophytes that cause an infection known as tinea or ringworm (this describes the shape of the skin lesions and has nothing to do with actual worms!).

Candida infections can be treated with a cream containing clotrimazole. This can be purchased from a pharmacy.

Tinea infections are named according to the part of the body where they are found: tinea corporis on a body site, tinea capitis on the scalp, tinea pedis on the feet. Tinea infections are often difficult to distinguish from discoid eczema. Usually the doctor or nurse will prescribe a fungal treatment (miconazole cream) – also available over the counter from a pharmacy – to see if the skin responds and the lesions clear. For tinea infections of the scalp or nails, an oral antifungal agent will be necessary. Your GP will need to prescribe this. A skin scraping can be taken for mycology (fungal) analysis when there is difficulty resolving the lesions and there is doubt about the diagnosis.

Antifungal creams do not entail the same resistance concerns as antibiotic creams, so you can apply them as and when they are needed. For best results, consistency with application is required until the lesions are clear, applying three times a day or as directed by your doctor.

Viral infections

Eczema herpeticum

Eczema herpeticum. This image is used with the permission of DermNet New Zealand, www.dermnetnz.org

The herpes simplex virus usually just causes cold sores, but in people with eczema it can spread through the skin and develop quickly into a serious condition called eczema herpeticum. The symptoms of this viral infection include:

• areas of painful eczema that quickly get worse
• groups of fluid-filled blisters that break open and leave small, shallow, open sores on the skin
• a high temperature and generally feeling unwell (in some cases).

Obtaining treatment quickly is important with this infection – it should not be left until morning! You should see a doctor immediately if you think you have eczema herpeticum; and if you cannot be seen by your GP, call NHS 111 or attend the nearest A&E department.

The virus is spread through direct contact, both skin to skin and contact with surfaces (the virus can live for a few hours on a hard surface). To prevent infection spreading, let the surgery or hospital staff know on arrival that you think you have eczema herpeticum, so you can wait in a private area until the doctor assesses you. If you have eczema herpeticum, you will be treated with an antiviral drug called aciclovir; often patients are admitted to hospital for a few days in order to receive the therapy intravenously.

Common childhood infections and infestations

Childhood infections, which can be worse when you have an underlying diagnosis of eczema, include the following:

Chickenpox

The presentation of chickenpox can be variable, from just a few pustules to extensive pustules covering the entire skin’s surface and inside the mouth and ears. The infection is spread through blood, saliva and cough droplets.

Children with atopic eczema have a slightly higher likelihood of developing a complication of the infection. Parents will need to closely monitor them and their well-being by checking their temperature, looking for infected lesions and seeking medical advice if concerned.

If you have taken oral steroids within three months of contracting chickenpox, you may have a lowered ability to fight the infection and you will require closer monitoring by your GP. Oral antivirals or hospital admission may be needed to prevent complications. Topical steroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors (pimecrolimus and tacrolimus) are less of an issue. See your GP for advice on continuing these treatments while you have new chickenpox lesions. Calamine lotion can be drying on the skin and is not usually helpful in children with eczema.

Molluscum contagiosum

This is a common childhood infection. The papules last between a few months and up to two years. They are highly contagious, and rubbing or scratching them helps them to spread on the skin. Treatment is not usually given as these viral lesions do eventually go away by themselves.

Scabies

Scabies are tiny mites that burrow and lay eggs in the outer layers of skin. Scabies infestations are very itchy and produce a rash. They are more common in children with eczema and are difficult to diagnose as the presentation is similar to that of eczema; also, the scabies may be hidden by the eczema. Scabies like warm places, such as skin folds, webs of the fingers, the feet and around the buttock or breast creases. They can also hide under watch straps, bracelets or rings. The incubation period is up to 8 weeks, and dry, scratched skin helps the infestation to spread. See your GP or pharmacist if you think you have scabies – it is not a serious condition but it does need treating. Permethrin cream and malathion lotion are medications that contain insecticides that kill the scabies mite. They are available to purchase over the counter from a pharmacist.

Preventing infection

Simple measures to help prevent infection include the following:

• Always wash your hands before applying topical treatments.

• Remember to decant emollients from any tubs you may be using – if you dip your fingers into a tub, it can easily become contaminated with bacteria. A metal dessert spoon is good for decanting emollient and washes well under the tap. If you are using pump handle dispensers for your emollients, you do not need to decant – you can just pump the emollient onto your hand (avoid touching the nozzle).

• If your eczema is infected by Staph. aureus, or you have a fungal or viral infection, avoid sharing towels, bedding and clothing until the infection has cleared.

• Some people with eczema suffer recurrent bacterial infections and require antibiotic treatment on several occasions. These people are often advised to use antiseptic washes or creams to reduce the amount of Staph. aureus on the skin. Commonly these antiseptics are triclosan, chlorhexidine gluconate or sodium hypochlorite. These antiseptics come combined with emollient preparations and can be used to wash with in the bath or shower, or applied as a leave-on preparation. One of the advantages of controlling infections with antiseptics is that they do not create bacterial resistance.

• Bleach bathing is a treatment option for people who experience recurrent infections. Bleach bathing uses the chemical sodium hypochlorite, which is effective against bacteria, fungi, viruses and MRSA. The principle of bleach bathing is to bathe in the bleach solution twice a week, and continue with your usual treatment routine in between.

A review of the research available on bleach bathing (Cochrane systematic review, published in October 2019), found that bleach baths were unlikely to make any difference to eczema or to patients’ quality of life. If you try bleach bathing, do so with caution and discuss it with your doctor first. Care must be taken as the wrong substance or too high a concentration can be harmful.

You must not use household bleach for bleach bathing as the concentration of sodium hypochlorite will vary in products and most will have additional chemicals that could damage your skin.

Milton Sterilising Fluid, at a strength of 2% sodium hypochlorite, is the only product that currently provides the strength used in research trials. It has been adopted by hospitals and can be bought cheaply from pharmacies. It does not contain any perfumes or colourants and does not degrade, so it provides a stable strength.

The following instructions are for a standard full-size bath:

• Fill the bath with warm water to around 10cm depth. This is usually around 60 litres. You can use a measuring jug or bucket the first time to help work out how much this looks like. Make a mark on the bath tub for future filling – a small strip of Gaffer tape just above the water line works well for this.

• Add 125ml or 1/2 a cup of Milton Sterilising Fluid to the water and completely mix it in (around 2ml per litre of bathwater).

• Soak in the bath water up to your neck for ten minutes. For smaller children, you can use a sponge or flannel to soak any dry and affected areas that are out of the water.

• Do not splash water onto the face as it will irritate the eyes.

• Rinse yourself or your child well with fresh warm water, for example, in the shower.

• Pat the skin gently dry with a soft towel and apply emollient.

To obtain the information on this page in a PDF format, please download our Infections and eczema factsheet, below.

Laboratory Department of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute | Diagnosis of pathologies

Laboratory department of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute | Diagnosis of pathologies | High-precision research methods

Research Institute of Emergency Medicine. N.V. Sklifosovsky

Candidiasis Diagnosis

Candida is a yeast-like fungus that is naturally present in the normal, healthy gut microflora and is found in the mouth and vagina. The Candida antibody test is used to detect systemic candidiasis by looking for 3 antibodies that form immunity to Candida – IgG, IgA and IgM. The test detects when the levels of these antibodies are especially high, which signals an overgrowth of Candida.

Candida can cause disease when your body’s ability to contain it is weak and therefore allows the fungus to spread causing overgrowth. This can happen, for example, on the skin, in and around the oral and vaginal cavities. Many practitioners agree that internal Candida infection is very common, often goes undiagnosed, and may be the cause of many external Candida infectious conditions.

The following factors may increase the chance of Candida overgrowth:

• taking antibiotics from meat and animal products,
• excessive consumption of sugar and sugar-containing products,
• pregnancy,
• diabetes,
• immunosuppression,
• chlorine in drinking water and bathing/swimming water.

Some of the possible symptoms of candidiasis:

• fatigue,
• difficulty trying to concentrate,
• white coating on tongue or mouth,
• bad breath, bad taste in the mouth,
• abdominal pain,
• bloating and indigestion,
• increased food allergies (problems with gluten or celiac disease can be a direct result of Candida overgrowth)
• constant cravings for sweets,
• joint pain with symptoms of arthritis,
• weight gain or loss and inability to change it,
• fungus on toenails,
• itching, red eyes,
• skin rashes on the body (eczema, atopic dermatitis),
• candidiasis rash in the groin area,
• anal itching, itching of the penis or vagina,
• hair loss,
• vision problems.

SKLIF Laboratory contacts

paid services

+7 (495) 280-15-61

email

[email protected]

Laboratory

+7(495) 628-33-00

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