The Healthy Skin Show

Dr. Shawn Kwatra, Director of the Johns Hopkins Itch Center, sheds light on the mysterious world of itchiness, revealing it can stem from various unique causes, not just histamine. He discusses how the gut microbiome influences conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Listeners learn about disrupting the itch cycle, the vagus nerve's role in itch sensation, and the latest research on IL-31 as the 'master conductor of itch.' Dr. Kwatra emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment approaches in managing chronic itch.

It can be helpful to hear from others going through the same struggle or journey as you. My guest today shares her powerful story of determination and never giving up on finding the root cause for her rashes which started in childhood. Ashley Ann Lora, today's guest, was diagnosed with eczema (atopic dermatitis) as a baby. She suffered a lot growing up due to lack of education and awareness of management tips and treatment options. In 2016, Ashley began sharing her story publicly and turned patient advocacy into her career. Now, she works with brands, pharma companies, and healthcare organizations to help them better understand the eczema community. She's also a trained facilitator and facilitates a weekly support group for those living with eczema and going through TSW. Whether its TSW or suffering from other rashes, what has helped you on your journey? Let me know in the comments what was as turning point for you! In this episode: Ashely's long journey from baby eczema to adulthood What she tried for treatments What was the moment that changed her forever? How she when from hating her eczema to loving her eczema What is the "work" that went into mentally dealing with her flareups? What does healing look like now for Ashley? Quotes “My eczema and my body is really trying to support me. It's not trying to harm me. It's trying to support me in getting to the root cause of my inflammation." [06:55] "How I deal with my eczema is the same way of how I deal with my partner, how I deal with my friends, how I deal with my family. And I think that's the big switch that many people may or may not realize is how you treat your eczema could be a correspondence to how you treat other people and more importantly how you treat yourself." [10:36] "There are a lot of people who are walking around with clear skin who are not happy, which goes back to show that clear skin does not equate to happiness. So what does make us happy outside of clear skin?" [15:34] Links Find Ashley Ann Lora online here Follow Ashley on Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Watch Ashley's Instagram Reel on healing Healthy Skin Show ep. 132: What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal? w/ Kathryn Tullos HEalthy Skin Show ep. 131: Mindset: What To Do When Nothing Seems To Help Your Rashes Healthy Skin Show ep. 195: Is There Hope For Thin Skin From Topical Steroid Cream Use? w/ Dr. Hadar LeReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/

Ever wonder how energy medicine works? For many it sounds WAY out there. But energy medicine & Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities can be a powerful tool to support your healing journey! Today's guest, Juliann Abecassis-Walsh, is a former Mayo Clinic Acupuncture Physician and a Diplomat of Oriental Medicine. She is NCCAOM Board Certified in Foundations of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, Bio-Medicine and Chinese Herbology. Juliann founded Balanced Healing of Jacksonville in 2016 and now acts as the clinic director and is a full time provider. She is passionate about teaching others how to become their own health advocates. At Balanced Healing she strives to create an environment which promotes healing, an environment in which you feel heard, understood and supported. She specializes in complex cases, “mysterious illness”, mold and mycotoxin illness, stress related conditions, allergy elimination, gut dysfunction and promoting optimal wellness. Have you ever tried NAET? Let me know in the comments if it worked for you! In this episode: What is NAET and what can it be used for? Breaking down a NAET clearing visit -- how it works + what to expect Examples when you should NOT rely on NAET to help How many treatments before an allergy typically clears? Crazy story of healing a lipoma after many visits with doctors Quotes “Some people can clear things in one or two treatments, other people for big allergens, it could take five treatments." [11:27] “If mom is holding the baby and I do the mom's back while the mom is holding the vial and touching the baby's leg with the vial, the baby gets the treatment." [20:13] Links Find Juliann online Follow Juliann's Practice, Balanced Healing, on TikTok Follow Balanced Healing on Instagram Check out Juliann's book: The Healthy Baby Guidebook: A Guide to Health Awareness & Food Education for You and Your Baby Healthy Skin Show ep. 086: Allergies, Your Immune System & Skin Rashes w/ Dr. Maya Shetreat Healthy Skin Show ep. 218: TCM Diet To Support Skin Rashes w/ Dr. Olivia Hsu Friedman, DACM Healthy Skin Show ep. 222: Food Allergies + Skin Rashes in Kids w/ Jennifer Brand, MS, MPH, CNSReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/

It can be helpful to hear from others going through the same struggle or journey as you. My guest today shares her powerful story of determination and never giving up on finding the root cause for her rashes which started in childhood. Today's guest is Dominika O'Sullivan, a former city girl thriving in the beautiful West of Ireland and transitioning to countryside living. She is a lifelong eczema warrier and Protopic withdrawal sufferer who was failed by several medical, skin and alternative medicine professionals and is currently discovering and addressing her root causes of the original condition while happily witnessing symptoms reduction and disappearance. Professionally, Dominika is a Human Resources and employment law consultant working with businesses and assisting employers in identifying simple solutions to complex people challenges. For those who are not familiar with Protopic -- it's a non-steroidal immunosuppressant drug also called Tacrolimus. Whether it's Protopic Withdrawal or suffering from other rashes, what has helped you on your journey? Let me know in the comments what was a turning point for you! In this episode: Dominika's journey of childhood to adulthood eczema + Protopic Withdrawal The many treatments she tried (both natural + conventional) What was the turning point for her? Where Dominika applied Protopic What has changed since working with Jen's practice Dominika's advice to others struggling with Protopic Withdrawal Quotes “Throughout my childhood, I just remember the stories of having to wear gloves like many kids with eczema and atopic dermatitis would have to, because I was scratching so bad that my hands would be covered in blood in the morning." [01:17] "I was probably at the verge of a nervous breakdown because I kept my full-time job, which is relatively stressful and it requires high focus of attention. But I couldn't sleep and I was experiencing all those debilitating symptoms." [7:05] Links Follow Dominika on Instagram here (Please note she can pick up messages but doesn't post.) TSW Podcast with Jennifer Fugo, MS, CNS interview mentioned by Dominika Book an assessment session with Jen's clinical practice hereReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/

Have you ever heard of cold laser therapy (or the CAP laser) and how it can help with skin issues? Contrary to what most people think, it’s actually not a laser! It is called Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP), and it is a type of ionized gas. My guest today delves into how it can help! Today's guest is Jing Rui Yeo, long-term TSW (topical steroid withdrawal) warrior and co-owner of Skin Solace Aesthetic Clinic. Through her advocacy for TSW, she helped to bring CAP treatments to the UK. Her passion is in alleviating the physical and mental struggles of those going through chronic skin conditions, particularly Topical Steroid Withdrawal. Have you ever suffered from TSW? Let me know in the comments if you've tried the CAP Laser and if it worked for you! In this episode: What is cold laser therapy + how can it help those with Topical Steroid Withdrawal? What does a CAP Treatment look and feel like? Length of treatments (and what else to expect) Who is NOT a great candidate for a CAP Treatment? The reason TSW warriors flake after receiving a CAP Treatment Quotes “It has regenerative properties to the skin. It is used in various skin conditions such as eczema, topical steroid withdrawal, and can help with acne as well."  [03:41] "The wetter the wound, the more zappy it feels, but generally, from the neck and down, people actually find it quite comfortable." [09:52] Links Find Jing online here and here Follow Jing on Instagram | Follow Skin Solace Aesthetic Clinic on Instagram Healthy Skin Show ep. 132: What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal? w/ Kathryn Tullos Healthy Skin Show ep. 200: Getting Emotional + Mental Support For TSW w/ Jing Rui Yeo Healthy Skin Show ep. 225: Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)- Is It Just A Waiting Game? w/ Dr. Julie Greenberg Cold Atmospheric Plasma Ameliorates Skin Diseases Involving Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species-Mediated Functions (Frontiers in Immunology, 2022)Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/

If you’ve been seeing more online about doing a low histamine diet to help your skin rash problems, you’re not alone. I’m also seeing this happen on the clinical side of things – clients previously been advised by practitioners to reduce high histamine foods because of itchiness in the hopes that their rashes would improve. This might explain why I frequently get messages + emails asking me if a low histamine diet would be a helpful next best step. Rather than writing out a lengthy response to each person (because a one word response is no where near sufficient), I figured it was time to share my thoughts. My answer often surprises people because it’s not what they’d expect. So that’s what I’m digging into today with the hope that the nuance will help you make a more informed choice for yourself about whether a low histamine diet is worth a try (or not). In this episode: Helpful criteria to figure out if doing a low histamine diet would be worthwhile Biggest problems with a low histamine diet (no one tells you ahead of time) List of chronic skin issues that might improve How strict do you need to be on the diet to get results? Should you stay on a low histamine diet for life? Quotes: Certain types of rashes will likely improve moreso with a low histamine diet such as chronic hives, urticaria, dermatographia, angioedema, and histamine-driven eczema. As a rule of thumb, more food restrictions in general do not necessarily equate to being healthy.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/

I'll be direct. Anything and everything to do with food allergies seems to be kind of confusing. I'm hoping today to demystify some of the questions and thoughts and ideas from the patient side of things around allergies and allergy testing, specifically. Today's guest, Dr. Stacy Silvers is a board-certified allergist specializing in environmental and food allergy diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Dr. Silvers oversees Aspire's allergy program and protocols, and also leads the food allergy and oral immunotherapy (OIT) program at Aspire Allergy & Sinus. Dr. Silvers is considered an expert in the field of food allergy diagnosis and treatment. Join us as Dr. Silvers discusses all things relating to food allergies, diagnosis and treatment! What do you have experience with? Is it patch testing, skin prick, intradermal testing, blood test... the whole nine yards? Let me know in the comments what has worked for you and if your diagnosis was a game-changer! In this episode: Food sensitivities vs. food allergies The differences between allergen testing -- blood, patch + skin prick Which medications interfere with allergy testing results Why you could develop a food allergy despite eating it before without any issue Thoughts on removing foods to figure out a food allergy Quotes “That's one of the benefits of (skin prick) testing is you get quick results, usually before you even walk out the door. So that test is very good for nasal allergies, food allergies, anaphylactic type reactions." [05:31] “When we compare prick testing and the lab testing, the sensitivity is about 75% with the blood test compared to the prick test. So if we can do the prick test, we prefer to go that route. But we can't always do the prick test. You have to be off certain medications in order to do the prick testing reliably." [09:12] Links Find Dr. Silvers online Follow Aspire Allergy on Instagram Healthy Skin Show ep. 248: Is Eczema Related To Histamine Intolerance?  Healthy Skin Show ep. 222: Food Allergies + Skin Rashes in Kids w/ Jennifer Brand, MS, MPH, CNS Healthy Skin Show ep. 037: Nickel Allergy And Eczema w/ Dr. Peter LioReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/

Have you read online that going plant-based or carnivore will totally heal your skin? I’m sure you’ve probably come across this type of information on social media or in chat forums where people swear that what worked for their skin is the magic answer for everyone. To be honest, I have intentionally steered clear of this topic for a long time now because I wasn’t sure how to cover it. I’ve certainly been pitched by staunch proponents of each diet to share their opinion here on the Healthy Skin Show about why their diet approach is best. But my concern is that these conversations can be incredibly one-sided and, even at times, emotionally manipulative. Diet is so deeply intertwined with what makes you who you are physically, emotionally and mentally. So I wanted to find a way to share my clinical thoughts on both of these very popular diet trends without the dogma. AND while also being clear about my personal diet bias (based on my current clinical experience and how I personally eat). My hope is that the insights shared here will help you make a more informed decision that truly is best for you, rather than an emotional choice that doesn’t center you in the equation. In this episode: Plant-based vs Carnivore diet – which is better in my opinion? My clinical diet bias (so you can keep this in mind) Pros + cons of a plant-based diet Why plant-based diets may improve your rashes Pros + cons of a carnivore diet Why going carnivore could improve your rashes My thoughts on diet dogma (especially as a nutrition professional) Quotes: I believe that each person bears the responsibility of figuring out the best way to support their body from a dietary standpoint. No one should be bullied or shamed for their dietary preferences or choices.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/

If you’ve thought that there is an official eczema trigger foods list you should follow… Think again. These lists are often made up of arbitrary foods that may or may not be a problem for you. Often these lists scare people into avoiding foods unnecessarily which can have unintended consequences for your physical and mental health (as well as your relationship with food). Instead of seeking out a list of foods to avoid when you have eczema, it’s wiser to question why you are reacting to certain foods in your diet. If there’s a legitimate IgE food allergy – that’s one thing (and it’s best to follow your doctor’s recommendation on that front). But assuming you now have a food sensitivity or food intolerance may mean you miss crucial clues to hidden problems lurking below the surface. Here’s my take based on my work as a clinical nutritionist on why certain foods can make your eczema worse! In this episode: Eczema trigger foods list: Does one exist? Thoughts on different naturally occurring food chemicals + eczema flares Breakdown on what gut function is + how it can contribute to eczema Why you might be reacting to certain foods (that has nothing to do with the food itself) Debunking the notion that eczema is all about food sensitivities Quotes: There is no official list of eczema trigger foods no matter what you research online. When there are gut function issues, the way food will interact with your gut will likely be problematic.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/

If you haven’t considered the potential gut connection to eczema, then this will be quite surprising to you! Many of my atopic dermatitis clients struggle with chronic gut issues. And some have extremely imbalanced gut microbiomes, but don’t even have any gut symptoms! Testing and certain patterns that I see in my clinical practice have underscored the importance of considering the impacts that the gut has on the skin, so we’re going to start diving into that today! In this episode: Factors that impact the eczema-gut connection When gut microbiome imbalances can start (HINT: it’s earlier than you think!) Specific types of bacterial overgrowth I see in eczema clients Imbalances that current research is highlighting in the “eczema gut” What tends to be skewed in the gut microbiome of young babies + kids Quotes: Inflammation that impacts the skin often doesn’t originate in the skin… but actually somewhere else in your body. The gut of someone with eczema may look different compared to someone who does not have eczema.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds to manage your skin?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by over 1000 clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at https://skinrepaircall.com/