The Microbiome

You may have heard of the gut microbiome, which include probiotics or beneficial bacteria that are essential for digestion and our immune system. Did you know that our skin has its own microbiome?

The skin microbiome is home to millions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. When there is a good balance between these microorganisms, they protect us from skin diseases like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. We have different types of skin on different parts of our body that are characterized by whether they are oily, moist, or dry. Different microbes thrive in these various environments. Propionibacterium thrives in oily environments and can contribute to acne. Staphylococcus prefers moist areas including the bends of the elbows and knees and contributes to eczema.

There is a relationship between the gut and skin microbiome. With skin disease, not only is the skin microbiome altered, but there are also changes to the gut microbiome. When treating acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skin diseases, I always treat the gut microbiome. Often this is through testing the microbiome through the stool and sometimes I also test for inflammatory foods which affect the microbiome. If you are interested in finding out what is going on with your microbiome, schedule a free phone consultation today.