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Chemical Pollutants Can Change Your Skin Bacteria And Increase Your Eczema Risk
This article was originally featured on The Conversation.
"We haven't had a full night's sleep since our son was born eight years ago," said Mrs. B, pointing to her son's dry, red and itchy skin.
Her son has had eczema his entire life. Also known as atopic dermatitis, this chronic skin disease affects about 1 in 5 children in the industrialized world. Some studies have found rates of eczema in developing nations to be over thirtyfold lower compared with industrialized nations.
However, rates of eczema didn't spike with the Industrial Revolution, which began around 1760. Instead, eczema in countries such as the U.S., Finland and other countries started rapidly rising around 1970.
What caused eczema rates to spike?
I am an allergist and immunologist working with a team of researchers to study trends in U.S. Eczema rates. Scientists know that factors such as diets rich in processed foods as well as exposure to specific detergents and chemicals increase the risk of developing eczema. Living near factories, major roadways or wildfires increase the risk of developing eczema. Environmental exposures may also come from inside the house through paint, plastics, cigarette smoke or synthetic fabrics such as spandex, nylon and polyester.
While researchers have paid a lot of attention to genetics, the best predictor of whether a child will develop eczema isn't in their genes but the environment they lived in for their first few years of life.
There's something in the airTo figure out what environmental changes may have caused a spike in eczema in the U.S., we began by looking for potential eczema hot spots – places with eczema rates that were much higher than the national average. Then we looked at databases from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to see which chemicals were most common in those areas.
For eczema, along with the allergic diseases that routinely develop with it – peanut allergy and asthma – two chemical classes leaped off the page: diisocyanates and xylene.
Diisocyanates were first manufactured in the U.S. around 1970 for the production of spandex, nonlatex foam, paint and polyurethane. The manufacture of xylene also increased around that time, alongside an increase in the production of polyester and other materials.
The chemically active portion of the diisocyanates and xylene molecules are also found in cigarette smoke and wildfires. After 1975, when all new cars became outfitted with a new technology that converted exhaust gas to less toxic chemicals, isocyanate and xylene both became components of automobile exhaust.
Research has found that exposing mice to isocyanates and xylene can directly cause eczema, itch and inflammation by increasing the activity of receptors involved in itch, pain and temperature sensation. These receptors are also more active in mice placed on unhealthy diets. How directly exposing mice to these toxins compares to the typical levels of exposure in people is still unclear.
How and why might these chemicals be linked to rising rates of eczema?
Skin microbiome and pollutionEvery person is coated with millions of microorganisms that live on the skin, collectively referred to as the skin microbiome. While researchers don't know everything about how friendly bacteria help the skin, we do know that people need these organisms to produce certain types of lipids, or oils, that keep the skin sealed from the environment and stave off infection.
You've probably seen moisturizers and other skin products containing ceramides, a group of lipids that play an important role in protecting the skin. The amount of ceramides and related compounds on a child's skin during their first few weeks of life is a consistent and significant predictor of whether they will go on to develop eczema. The less ceramides they have on their skin, the more likely they'll develop eczema.
To see which toxins could prevent production of the beneficial lipids that prevent eczema, my team and I used skin bacteria as canaries in the coal mine. In the lab, we exposed bacteria that directly make ceramides (such as Roseomonas mucosa), bacteria that help the body make its own ceramides (such as Staphylococcus epidermidis) and bacteria that make other beneficial lipids (such as Staphylococcus cohnii) to isocyanates and xylene. We made sure to expose the bacteria to levels of these chemicals that are similar to what people might be exposed to in the real world, such as the standard levels released from a factory or the fumes of polyurethane glue from a hardware store.
We found that exposing these bacteria to isocyanates or xylene led them to stop making ceramides and instead make amino acids such as lysine. Lysine helps protect the bacteria from the harms of the toxins but doesn't provide the health benefits of ceramides.
We then evaluated how bed sheets manufactured using isocyanates or xylene affect the skin's bacteria. We found that harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus proliferated on nylon, spandex and polyester but could not survive on cotton or bamboo. Bacteria that help keep skin healthy could live on any fabric, but, just as with air pollution, the amount of beneficial lipids they made dropped to less than half the levels made when grown on fabrics like cotton.
Addressing pollution's effects on skinWhat can be done about the connection between pollution and eczema?
Detectors capable of sensing low levels of isocyanate or xylene could help track pollutants and predict eczema flare-ups across a community. Better detectors can also help researchers identify air filtration systems that can scrub these chemicals from the environment. Within the U.S., people can use the EPA Toxics Tracker to look up which pollutants are most common near their home.
In the meantime, improving your microbial balance may require avoiding products that limit the growth of healthy skin bacteria. This may include certain skin care products, detergents and cleansers. Particularly for kids under 4, avoiding cigarette smoke, synthetic fabrics, nonlatex foams, polyurethanes and some paints may be advised.
Replacing bacteria that has been overly exposed to these chemicals may also help. For example, my research has shown that applying Roseomonas mucosa, a ceramide-producing bacterium that lives on healthy skin, can lead to a monthslong reduction in typical eczema symptoms compared with placebo. Researchers are also studying other potential probiotic treatments for eczema.
Evaluating the environmental causes of diseases that have become increasingly common in an increasingly industrialized world can help protect children from chemical triggers of conditions such as eczema. I believe that it may one day allow us to get back to a time when these diseases were uncommon.
Ian Myles is Chief of the Epithelial Therapeutics Unit at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Ian Myles receives funding from the Department of Intramural Research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He is the author of, and receives royalties for, the book GATTACA Has Fallen: How population genetics failed the populace. Although he is the co-discoverer of Roseomonas mucosa RSM2015 for eczema, he has donated the patent to the public and has no current conflict of interest for its sales.
5 Wellness Benefits Of Coconut To Explore
Apr 28, 2024
(Sea Wave / Shutterstock.Com)
Coconuts are a tropical fruit that has become increasingly popular in recent years. That's because health-conscious people are doing more than just eating the meaty fruit of the palm tree, they are drinking and cooking with coconut milk, coconut water and coconut oil, according to WebMD.
The coconut palm which is nicknamed "the tree of life" because all of its parts can be used for something – eating, drinking, making mats from the fronds or even building houses from its trunk – originated in Southeast Asia and India.
Today coconuts grow in tropical regions around the world. Besides the culinary uses, coconuts also come with significant health benefits too. Here are five ways that coconuts are good for you.
Highly nutritiousCoconuts are not high in carbs like many fruits and contains 2.66 grams of protein, 7.2 grams of fiber, vitamin C and many essential minerals including iron, manganese, magnesium, and copper. Coconut also contains selenium, an important antioxidant that helps to protect your cells. While coconuts are high in fat, most of it is medium-chain fatty acids that metabolize differently than those found in meat. These healthy fats are good for your brain function and other functions.
Contains potent antioxidantsThe meat of the coconut contains phenolic compounds that are powerful antioxidants, according to Healthline. These antioxidants help protect your cells from free radicals and the oxidative stress they cause, which contribute to chronic diseases. Some of the antioxidants found in this tropical fruit can also protect against DNA damage.
Has antibacterial propertiesCoconut oil has also been found to block the growth of some bacteria strains like Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that causes staph infections and strains that are related to food borne illnesses.
There are also antimicrobial properties of coconut meat that may help prevent infections related to root canals and other dental procedures, according to WebMD. So while it is not a replacement for proper dental care, coconut can help kill some of the bacteria that is found in your mouth. You can also use coconut on your skin.
Good for your bonesThe manganese in coconut oil is good for your bones, according to The Joint Chiropractic website. That's because the acids in the oil helps your body to absorb minerals like manganese, phosphorus, and calcium, that are necessary for bone health and strength. This is especially good for women to help prevent osteoporosis.
Helps with blood controlSince coconuts are low in carbs and rich in fiber, Healthline suggests that they could be beneficial for blood sugar control for diabetics. The high fiber content could also slow digestion and improve insulin resistance which can help regulate blood sugar levels.
A 2021 randomized trial with 48 participants studied the effects of replacing other fats with virgin coconut oil and found that the people who consumed the coconut oil had reduced fasting blood sugar counts after four weeks.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:5 Benefits of Natural Coconut Water5 Ways You Can Use Coconut Oil Topically5 Great Cooking Oils For a Vegan Diet
Bonnie has dedicated her life to promoting social justice. She loves to write about empowering women, helping children, educational innovations, and advocating for the environment & sustainability.
Pharmacist Says Skin Change 'silent Messenger' Of Serious Problems
A pharmacist has warned people not to overlook changes to their skin because they could be vital clues to a life-threatening condition. From a subtle discolouration to a change in texture or feel, skin can serve as a silent messenger that can be the first signs of an underlying health condition.
George Sandhu, Deputy Pharmacy Superintendent from independent pharmacist Well Pharmacy, said: "Whether you're curious about a pimple, dry patch or discolouration, your skin can act as a barometer for your general wellbeing. Skin is a major organ, capable of revealing not just cosmetic but also potentially life-threatening conditions – it's not something to take lightly.
"Through observation, we can identify changes that may signify deeper health issues."
10 of the most well-known skin conditions, that could indicate concerns:
SHINGLES
Red blotchy skin, which turns into itchy blisters, that ooze fluid.
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. First signs can include tingling or a painful feeling in an area of skin, headaches and feeling generally unwell.
A rash will usually appear a few days later. In rare cases shingles can cause pain without a rash. Usually, the shingles rash occurs on the chest and belly, but it can appear anywhere on your body including on your face, eyes and genitals.
You cannot spread shingles to others. But people could catch chickenpox from you if they have not had chickenpox before or have not had the chickenpox vaccine.
The NHS suggests avoiding pregnant mothers who have not had chickenpox before and people with a weakened immune system – like someone having chemotherapy and newborn babies. If symptoms of shingles occur, the new service Pharmacy First allows pharmacists to provide advice and treatment.
IMPETIGO
Starts itchy, red and sore. Once healed a crusty, yellow or "honey-coloured" scab forms over the sore
Impetigo is a very contagious skin infection, but not usually serious. It often gets better in seven to 10 days if you get treatment.
Conditions start with red sores or blisters, which quickly burst and leave crusty golden-brown patches. The NHS says the patches can look like cornflakes stuck to the skin and can be painful. Impetigo can easily spread to other parts of your body or to other people until it stops being contagious.
The condition generally stops being contagious 48 hours after the infected person starts using prescribed hydrogen peroxide cream or antibiotics or when the patches dry out and crust over. Pharmacy First allows pharmacists in England to provide advice and treatments for Impetigo.
ATOPIC ECZEMA
Red, weepy, crusty, itchy, flaky patches, like oval or circular-shaped areas on the skin.
Atopic eczema, sometimes called Atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common forms of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. The skin condition causes the skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore. Some only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread inflamed skin all over the body.
SEPSIS
Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, which can also appear on lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It happens when the immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage the body's tissues and organs. Other names for sepsis include septicaemia or blood poisoning. Treatment in hospital is essential straight away. You should expect to be given antibiotics within one hour of arriving at hospital.
If sepsis is not treated early, it can turn into septic shock and cause organs to fail, which can cause death. Patients may need other tests or treatments depending on symptoms; these can include treatment in an intensive care unit, being put on a ventilator, surgery to remove areas of infection and a stay in hospital for several weeks.
Most people make a full recovery from sepsis. But it can take time. Physical and emotional symptoms may continue for months, or even years, after a person has had sepsis. These long-term effects are called post-sepsis syndrome and can include feeling tired and weak, lack of appetite, picking up illnesses more often, changes in mood, flashbacks and PTSD.
STAPH INFECTIONS
A painful red lump or bump on the skin
Staph infections are caused by bacteria called staphylococcus.
Symptoms include a painful red lump or bump on the skin, hot, red or swollen skin, sore, crusts, blistering and red or sore eyelids. The infection tends to go away on its own but can sometimes need antibiotics.
The bacteria that cause staph infections live harmlessly on many people's skin, often in the nose, armpits, groin and buttocks. They usually only cause an infection if they get into the skin – for example, through a bite or cut.
The NHS says the bacteria can spread through close skin contact, sharing towels and toothbrushes and less common, through droplets in coughs and sneezes.
MRSA
Red and swollen patch of skin, which leaks pus of liquid. Warm to touch.
MRSA is a type of bacteria that usually lives harmlessly on the skin, but if it gets inside the body, it can cause a serious infection that needs immediate treatment with antibiotics.
Most people the bacteria on their skin do not have any symptoms, but if you get an MRSA infection under your skin, you may have an area of skin that is painful and swollen, feels warm when you touch it, leaks pus or looks red.
The infection can spread to your blood, lungs, or other parts of your body, which causes symptoms that include high temperature, difficulty breathing, chills, dizziness and confusion. MRSA will only cause an infection if it spreads inside the body, as it lives harmlessly on the skin and mainly spreads through touch.
This can also happen if you touch a person with MRSA, or something they've touched.
PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR
May be darker or lighter than your normal skin colour, main discolouration may be red, brown or pink
Pityriasis versicolor, also known as tinea versicolor is a common fungal skin infection. The condition is caused by a type of fungus that lives on the skin.
With most people carrying this fungus on their skin without it causing problems, it can something grow and spread more than usual. It's not always clear why this happens. The NHS has suggested that it's not caused by not washing your skin and most people who have it are otherwise healthy.
MENINGITIS
A rash which starts with small, red pinpricks before spreading quickly and turning into red or purple blotches.
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges). The infection can be very serious if not treated quickly. It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
With the effects of meningitis developing suddenly it is important to be aware of symptoms, which include a high temperature, sickness, headaches, a rash that does not fade when a glass if rolled over it, a stiff neck, dislike to bright lights, drowsiness and seizures.
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis. Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through sneezing, coughing and kissing.
Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves. It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.
Bacterial meningitis usually needs to be treated in hospital for at least a week while viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within seven to 10 days and can often be treated at home.
CELLULITIS
Red, Hot & Swollen
Cellulitis is a skin infection that's treated with antibiotics. It can be serious if it's not treated quickly. The condition makes skin feel painful, hot and swollen. Skin may also be blistered, and well creating painful glands.
MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM
2 to 5mm wide spots usually appear together. They are raised and dome-shaped with a shiny white dimple in the middle.
Molluscum contagiosum is an infection that causes spots on the skin. It is usually harmless and rarely needs treatment. The spots caused by molluscum contagiosum are usually harmless and should clear up within 18 months without needing treatment.
The condition is usually passed on by direct skin-to-skin contact, however the chance of passing it on to other people during normal activities is so small that normal day-to- day activities can continue.
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