The Healthy Skin Show

Have you heard that if you're going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), that you just have to wait it out? "Just give it time... time is what heals." But when you say that to someone who's years (3 or 5 or even 8 years) into TSW, that statement starts feeling like a bitter pill with no hope in sight. Some practitioners (like myself) are finding that there are things you can do to better support your body as it goes on this journey. There's certainly no silver bullet solution as we still do not have enough research to know the best way forward. But if you could help your system not be as reactive, that may be a win to make things more manageable for you. My guest today, Dr. Julie Greenberg, is a licensed ND who specializes in integrative dermatology. She is the founder of the Center for Integrative Dermatology, a holistic dermatology clinic that approaches skin problems by finding and treating the root cause. Dr. Greenberg holds degrees from Northwestern University, Stanford University and Bastyr University, and received advanced clinical training at the Dermatology Clinic at the University of Washington Medical School and at the Pediatric Dermatology Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She is also the Program Chair of the Naturopathic & Integrative Dermatology series on LearnSkin.com, a learning platform for integrative health care professionals. Join us as we discuss whether TSW really is just a "waiting game" or if there are other things you can do that can help. I'd love to know if you have tried any of the tips that Dr. Greenberg has shared in this episode -- Let me know in the comments! In this episode: What is happening to someone going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)? Testing that could be helpful for TSW Concerns over vastly different potencies of different types of steroid creams Is TSW the ONLY thing you need to worry about at the moment (if you're experiencing it)? Collagen supplementation for TSW Thoughts on adaptogenic herbs -- do they have a place to support your body through TSW? Quotes “You have to think if you put that hydrocortisone on 600 times, that's equivalent to one dose of betamethasone or clobetasol. Some of them are 150 times, so it depends on the strength of the steroids. The surface area that you're using on, how frequently and how long have you used it. And of course, one thing that we forget to mention is that we have higher systemic absorption of these topical steroids on compromised or broken skin.” “We know that that red, inflamed skin is vasodilation. The vessels have been constricted for so long artificially with the topical whatever you're using and now they're also bouncing back. So we get vasodilation, which means that the blood vessels are over-expanded, over dilated. We get this blood influx, which is why they have that red, inflamed skin and moisture leaking out of their skin and they're oozing.”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/

Today we're talking all about acne. My guest shares her favorite nutrients on the journey to clearer skin...and some of them are quite controversial! My guest today, Robyn Johnson, is a Functional Medicine Dietitian Nutritionist. Her passion of using food and lifestyle as medicine found her after a personal battle and triumph with psoriasis. She specializes in helping women optimize their hormones, gut and skin by finding the root cause to their symptoms. Robyn runs a virtual private practice, is the creator of The Clear Skin Lab. Robyn believes healthcare should be individualized and that starts with each person understanding how their body works and what their body needs to truly thrive! Join us as we discuss some controversial nutrient solutions for acne. Has working on your nutrition helped your acne? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Different types of acne Robyn's favorite nutrients for acne Thoughts on Vitamin A toxicity: How worried should you be? Sources of vitamin E + why it can be helpful for hormonal acne Iodine and acne Topicals that may be beneficial for skin health Why are minerals important for the skin? Quotes “Vitamin A is used for acne, but people don't talk about the importance of food and using it in its most natural form.” [4:11] “Vitamin E is beneficial for acne for many reasons, I would say the top reason is it's potent antioxidant effects.” [10:41] Links Find Robyn online Healthy Skin Show ep. 016: Can Fluoride Be A Hidden Trigger For Your Skin? w/ Melissa Gallico Healthy Skin Show ep. 211: Why You Need Minerals For Your Skin (And To Stop Peeing All Day) w/ Kaely McDevitt, MS, RD What is my acne type? quiz FREE clear skin guide Follow Robyn on InstagramReady 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/

Are you one of those people whose skin gets WORSE the cleaner and healthier your diet becomes? This is one of those things people don’t talk about that can really get someone down because diet changes are so heavily pushed as a one-stop solution to clear up your skin. So if you’ve ever felt like you just didn’t “try hard enough” or “eat clean enough” because your skin got worse, know that you’re not alone. Though I don’t have an exact reason WHY this happens, I do have clinical observations that I can share. My hope is that you’ll stop blaming yourself (or thinking that you’re just doomed) and encourage you to dig deeper than food to address triggers to your skin rashes. In this episode: Answering the question: Can eating clean make your skin rashes worse? What it means if your skin gets worse the cleaner + healthier your diet gets Diets I’ve seen clinically cause skin rashes to get worse in some individuals Connection between skin flare-ups and diet shifts Quotes: You are not a failure if eating “clean” or making healthy diet changes actually makes your skin rashes worse! Those with rashes that are “diet-resistant” or worsen with a healthier diet often have gut dysbiosis.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/

Did you know that it is possible for children to become sensitized (and even allergic) to food through the skin? Yep... *mind blown*! This is something that we're learning more about and that blows a hole in the concept that the only way to become sensitized to food is through the gut. My guest today, Jennifer Brand, MPH (Master's degree in public health), MS (Master's degree in nutrition), CNS (Certified Nutrition Specialist) is an integrative and clinical nutritionist and the founder of Jennifer Caryn Brand Nutrition. She specializes in childhood skin rashes (eczema in particular, as well as psoriasis, tinea versicolor, hives, acne, vitiligo, and others), food allergies and sensitivities, and gut problems. Jennifer’s own struggle with gut problems and disordered eating, her father’s battle with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, her brother’s diagnosis of psoriasis, and her mother’s diagnosis of vitiligo left her frustrated and stirred her search for a different approach as conventional means fell flat: - An approach that doesn’t remove more foods from the diet. Food is not the root cause of the problem. Your body runs off of nutrients from foods you eat. When they are missing, imbalances develop, and symptoms and health problems follow, even skin rashes. - An approach that doesn’t include stronger prescription steroid creams, and immune-modulating prescriptions that might manage symptoms but don’t address the root cause of the problem, and can cause additional problems long term. Jennifer is a relentless detective putting her strong knowledge of nutritional biochemistry to work for you, to identify what’s driving symptoms and health problems in order to address the root cause of them. In 2013 she opened her private, clinical nutrition practice. Jennifer left her corporate healthcare career in 2017 to focus full time on helping clients get relief. Jennifer is a faculty member of LearnSkin, and her work has been featured in peer-reviewed scientific journals, Voyagela, as well as on podcasts, online summits, and in-person presentations at venues such as Casa Colina Hospital in California. Join us as we discuss how food allergies can affect skin rashes in children. Has identifying food allergies helped your little one's skin health? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: How a baby can potentially develop a food allergy at such a young age Is it possible to become sensitized to a particular food through the skin barrier? Connection between gut bacteria + food allergies Foods that feed friendly gut bacteria Problems that might come along with moisturizing rashy skin Quotes “When we're talking about skin allergies, that includes things like skin inflammation, eczema, hives, and contact type allergies. So when we get to the statistics here, 9.2 million children had skin allergies in 2018.” [1:33] “One of the most interesting statistics I've come across in the literature is that two out of three kids with rashes do not have food allergies.” [2:17] Links 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/

Have you ever wondered if the placement of your rashes actually was an important clue to your case? I’ve been asked this A LOT! So today I thought I’d share some clinical pearls that I’ve picked up along the way to help you become a better skin rash detective! This observation can also help you by looking back to rash placement in the past (even when you were a child) or before the onset of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). Especially because we know that skin rash conditions are often driven by internal inflammation. But you have to look for those underlying (and often hidden) root causes along the way so that you can actually address them. So let’s dive into this interesting discussion on what rashes in certain areas of the body actually mean! In this episode: What do rashes in certain areas mean? Do rashes on the abdomen mean I have gut problems? Rashes around your eyes and under the nose Fungal hotspots (check out the graphic!) Quotes: In certain areas such as the armpits or groin, the skin microbiome is considered to be a damp environment making it more prone to fungal rashes. Don’t assume that rashes around the mid-section automatically mean that you have a gut problem simply due to rash placement.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 are struggling with adult acne, today's episode is for you! This episode is celebrating new published research by Dr. Julie Greenberg on the make-up of the gut microbiome of someone whose primary complaint is acne! These findings can help us all better know what steps can be taken to support someone struggling with acne, but it also underscores that other skin issues (like eczema) may have a very different gut microbiome diversity. Time will tell as that research eventually becomes available. For now, let's dive into the distinct gut microbiome that tends to show up in acne! My guest today, Dr. Julie Greenberg, is a licensed ND who specializes in integrative dermatology. She is the founder of the Center for Integrative Dermatology, a holistic dermatology clinic that approaches skin problems by finding and treating the root cause. Dr. Greenberg hold degrees from Northwestern University, Stanford University and Bastyr University, and received advanced clinical training at the Dermatology Clinic at the University of Washington Medical School and at the Pediatric Dermatology Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She is also the Program Chair of the Naturopathic & Integrative Dermatology series on LearnSkin.com, a learning platform for integrative health care professionals. Join us as we discuss some exciting new research into the gut microbiome and acne. Has working on your gut health improved your acne? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: How prevalent of a problem is acne? Why does acne occur? The difference between a trigger and a root cause Three things that typify the acne gut based on her published research How much fiber do you REALLY need to eat to help with acne? The problem with eating too much meat Why dairy can be problematic for acne Quotes “Acne occurs within a hair follicle. Every acne zit or pimple that is one somebody's face, chest, back, is happening in a hair follicle.” [3:22] “What I found was three things that kind of typify the acne gut. One is H Pylori (Helicobacter pylori)  is present. One is candida. Candida is elevated or high. And the third thing is protozoa.” [11:46] Links Find Dr. Greenberg online Healthy Skin Show ep. 173: Malassezia: The Bug Behind Many Fungal Skin Problems w/ Dr. Julie Greenberg Healthy Skin Show ep. 149: How Staph Aureus Wrecks Your Skin w/ Dr. Julie Greenberg Dr. Greenberg's research on acne and the gut Gut Dysbiosis and Its Role in Skin Disease: A LearnSkin course I co-authoredReady 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/

Did you know that about 10% of people using Dupixent develop awful face and neck dermatitis? This issue (more officially called Dupilumab Facial Redness (DFR)) wasn’t flagged during the randomized FDA trials, but has some dermatologists concerned because DFR can be incredibly severe, just as it was for one of my clients. Since Dupixent is a biologic drug used by some with Eczema and Topical Steroid Withdrawal to ease symptoms, this new problem isn’t ideal. Rather than just assume that the person has a sensitivity to Dupixent, new research is showing that this may be a different problem — Malasezzia hypersensitivity. If you recall, Malasezzia is a fungal organism that normally lives in your skin’s microbiome. It really shouldn’t be causing an issue like this, but something about the way that Dupixent interacts with your immune system along with a compromised skin barrier could play a role. Here are the current papers discussing this topic so you have something to bring to your prescribing dermatologist so you can get the help you need if you are experiencing this! In this episode: Facial + neck redness that occurs in about 10% of Dupixent users What current research on what may be driving this weird “side effect” Treatment options listed in currently published articles The blood test marker that could be helpful in getting a clear diagnosis What to do if YOU have face + neck redness from Dupixent Quotes: Approximately 10% of Dupixent users develop red, inflamed, dry, scaly and itchy face + neck rashes requiring antifungal medication treatment. Dupixent Facial Redness was never described or mentioned in the Dupixent clinical trials for the FDA (which is surprising considering that it impacts approximately 10% of patients).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 often talk about how nutrition and digestion can play a role in our skin health. And there are many different dietary theories out there that have been used over the decades (and even centuries) that could be beneficial. As you might already know, I don't think diet for many with chronic skin rashes is the only tool that should be used to help achieve healthier skin. It's one tool in the larger toolbox. So today I'd like to share with you the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach to nutrition as it could potentially relate to skin rashes. It's honestly fascinating and this ancient method does draw some interesting conclusions about the impact of different foods on the body based on certain imbalances present. My guest today is Dr. Olivia Hsu Friedman, DACM, L.Ac, Dipl.OM. She is the owner of Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions and treats eczema, TSW, psoriasis, and acne patients throughout the US in person and via video conferencing using only herbal medicine. Dr. Olivia earned a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as well as a diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology. Outside of the office, Dr. Olivia serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Acupuncturists, the Advisory Board of LearnSkin and the faculty of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Support Group sponsored by the National Eczema Association. Join us as we talk about how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diets may help improve skin health. Has a Traditional Chinese Medicine diet improved your skin rashes? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Historical context for the TCM diet (and why this is relevant to your skin) Understanding how different types of food affect your body How does TCM view digestion? What types of food does Dr. Friedman recommend for people with eczema and other skin conditions? Should your diet change with the seasons according to TCM Why bitter foods are important to incorporate into your diet Quotes “There was this understanding that there are foods that are on the colder side. There's foods that are on the cooler side. There are foods that are warm. There are foods that are hot. And then later on, they figured out obviously there's neutral foods too.” [5:25] “In Chinese medicine, especially when we're putting together herbal formulas, we're always looking at balance. A lot of times when we put together formulas that are looking at these inflammatory conditions like TSW, like eczema, like psoriasis, we have a lot of herbs in there that are actually cooling in nature. However, we always make sure that there's something in there that balances that, so it's not ultra cold, so that your body has a better chance of actually not being wrecked by any one individual ingredient.” [16:23] Links Find Dr. Olivia online Healthy Skin Show ep. 144: How Chinese Medicine Can Help Topical Steroid Withdrawal w/ Dr. Olivia Hsu Friedman, DACM 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/

Did you know that psoriasis is associated with a bunch of other health issues? Things like hypothyroidism, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, PCOS, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver disease, and liver fibrosis, just to name a few. Many of my clients have no idea about these connections and have unfortunately had their concerns about other health issues blown off. Because there is so much newer research coming about about these issues, I wanted to share some of the research that I’ve seen so that you can ask better questions and know what you should be on the lookout for. Because psoriasis can impact so so so much more than just your skin (as if that isn’t bad enough on its own). In this episode: Health conditions often associated with psoriasis that should be on your radar Blood sugar + metabolic health concerns Thyroid problems — is this a big deal? Why you absolutely CANNOT overlook or ignore your liver Diabetic medication (or an herb I often use in practice) that can be helpful for psoriasis Quotes: A fascinating 2019 study found that out of the 400 patients with severe chronic plaque psoriasis, 53% were insulin resistant⁠ while 22% had type 2 diabetes⁠. Out of 215 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis in a 2021 study, 42.3% had some degree of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver disease (NAFLD).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/

Most times, a skin rash is a skin rash. But sometimes, if the skin condition comes out of nowhere, and if it does not respond to treatment, it could be a sign that something else is going on. And that something could be lymphoma. My guest today is Dr. Peter Lio, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology & Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed his internship in Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, and his Dermatology training at Harvard where he served as Chief Resident in Dermatology. While at Harvard, he received formal training in acupuncture. Dr. Lio has written a textbook on Integrative Dermatology and has published over 100 papers. Join us as we discuss whether your skin rash could be a sign of lymphoma. Have you ever experienced a skin rash being a sign of something else? Tell me about it in the comments! In this episode: Can a rash start off as one thing, but become something else? How can you tell whether a rash might be an indication of something else? Why swollen lymph nodes should be assess by your doctor What is a lipoma? Could chronic hives be a sign of cancer? Quotes “Lipomas are really, really common. They're basically little fatty lumps. They're just a little bit of extra fat tissue, it's usually just under the skin.” [16:39] “There are also a whole bunch of signs that are called paraneoplastic signs. These are things that are associated with cancer. And again, they're all pretty rare.” [2:02] Links Find Dr. Lio Online Healthy Skin Show ep. 001: How to Protect & Strengthen Your Skin Barrier w/ Dr. Peter Lio Healthy Skin Show ep. 037: Nickel Allergy And Eczema w/ Dr. Peter Lio Healthy Skin Show ep. 104: Topical B12 For Skin Rashes w/ Dr. Peter Lio Healthy Skin Show ep. 136: Alternative Solutions For Rosacea w/ Dr. Peter Lio Healthy Skin Show ep. 176: Dealing With Recurrent Skin Infections w/ Dr. Peter Lio Follow Dr. Lio on Twitter | FacebookReady 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/