The Healthy Skin Show

Wishing you could get a better night’s sleep without waking up all itchy? When sleep is compromised (or nonexistent) night after night, it can feel like you’ll never catch up. The cumulative effect of sleepless nights is maddening. Clients in my clinical practice often ask me “How can I sleep better?” The truth is, there’s not one simple answer to that question. Ultimately you have to figure out what’s causing the issue in the first place. But some supplemental aides like melatonin might be helpful for some. I’ve repeatedly seen studies mention lower nightly melatonin levels in those with eczema. And how the use of the supplement could be helpful! Let’s dive in together to see if melatonin could be helpful for you. In this episode: What is melatonin and can it be helpful for someone struggling with itchy eczema? Melatonin production tends to be low in eczema patients Food sources of melatonin (more than just tart cherries) How to naturally boost melatonin production Thoughts on supplementing with melatonin to avoid waking up groggy Who shouldn’t take melatonin Quotes: “33 to 87.1% of adults” and “83% of children with eczema” are dealing with some sort of sleep disturbance or difficulty staying asleep. Melatonin is broken down by your liver specifically in Phase 1 of liver detoxification by the CYP1A2 enzyme (along with some others) to get it out of your system.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

For those of us with chronic skin rashes, topical steroid creams are usually the first thing prescribed. But many of us aren't given any guidelines for the safe use of these topicals, or informed about alternative treatments we can utilize. My guest today is Dr. Peter Lio. Dr. Lio is 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 the safe use of topical steroid creams, topical steroid withdrawal, and the use of topical B12 for skin rashes. Have you tried topical B12 for skin rashes? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: How should people use topical steroid creams? What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal? Using topical steroids on sensitive spots (e.g. eyelids) How do products like Eucrisa differ from topical steroid creams? What is PEA (and could it be good for your skin)? Using Topical B12 for skin rashes Quotes “When you put topical steroids on, your blood vessels constrict. And if you keep doing that, then they kind of rebound and dilate, which is part of why we think people with TSW are bright red all the time. Their blood vessels are kind of broken from that.” [17:50] “B12 is crimson red as a powder and when put in this white base, it becomes pink. So we call it pink magic. And we've had it in our office for many years. And lots of patients like it. Again, it's got very modest effect, but it is very soothing.” [22:47] Links Find Dr. Lio online Topical Steroid Withdrawal in Atopic Dermatitis article To try Pink Magic, contact Dr. Lio's office HERE Pink Magic recipe ITSAN Find Dr. Lio on Twitter | FacebookReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

If you've ever heard of Hidradenitis Suppurativa, then you know exactly how awful this condition is. For me, I initially thought it was some sort of cancer because of the painful, swollen, lump I developing in my armpit. As I did more research, I came to realize that even now... a decade later... not much is known about what causes HS. But if you have it, this issue can feel like a wrecking ball smashing into your life! Fortunately, I got a tip from a colleague that changed everything for me and put my Hidradenitis Suppurativa into remission. In the spirit of sharing, I want to pass along this tip to you so in the event that it could also be helpful for you. I'm not guaranteeing that it will work for every case, but if it helps even one person, then it makes sharing this worth it. In this episode: What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa? (also known as HS) My experience living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa What areas are impacted by HS flares? Conventional + limited alternative treatment options What put my HS into remission (thanks to a tip that was my game changer) Quotes: Doctors still don't know what drives Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Inflammation plays a role and may be considered a form of auto-inflammation. The Mayo Clinic lists armpits, groin, buttocks, and, breasts as known "hot spot" areas. But it can appear in other areas, even on your face!Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

How we're doing internally is an important piece of the skin rash puzzle, even though they manifest externally. My guest today is going to talk all about inflammation, and its impact on chronic skin conditions. My guest today is Dr. Will Cole, leading functional-medicine expert. Dr. Cole consults people around the world via webcam at www.drwillcole.com and locally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors of chronic disease and customizing health programs for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal dysfunctions, digestive disorders, and brain problems. Dr. Cole was named one of the top fifty functional-medicine and integrative doctors in the nation and is a health expert for mindbodygreen and goop. He is the author of The Inflammation Spectrum, in which he explores how inflammation exists on a spectrum within the body, the various systems it can affect, and how you can discover your individual food triggers to overcome chronic inflammation. He is also the author of Ketotarian, in which he melds the powerful benefits of a ketogenic diet with a plant-based one. Join us as we discuss how inflammation is a key component in many chronic skin conditions. Has working on inflammation helped your skin rash? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: What is inflammation? Low-grade chronic infections What are Th1 and Th2? Why high-sensitivity C-reactive protein labs might be more valuable in terms of looking for inflammation A few helpful lifestyle changes Quotes “Inflammation is not inherently bad. We need it to fight viruses and bacteria and heal wounds and keep our bodies nice and healthy. The problem is when inflammation is out of balance...” [2:19] “Skin problems do not happen in a vacuum. They are happening for a reason, and oftentimes it's an internal.” [10:41] Links Find Dr. Cole online The Inflammation Spectrum book Ketotarian book Elixir guide for inflammation-healing elixirs FREE DOWNLOAD Find Dr. Cole on Instagram | Twitter | FacebookReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Is there a connection between psoriasis (and even psoriatic arthritis) and thyroid problems? YES. I started to notice a trend amongst my psoriasis clients in my private clinical nutrition practice -- thyroid levels tend to be really off. No one ever bothered to look at them previously, but I do because a thyroid panel can reveal a lot about the status of certain nutrients. Plus it can explain certain symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and weight gain... and even autoimmunity. As I looked deeper into the research, I found some really interesting correlations between these conditions. AND repeated urgings from researchers for doctors to include thyroid screenings in those with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. And yet... I have yet to meet a psoriasis client who has ever had their thyroid evaluated (unless they already had a known thyroid issue). That's why I want to share this information with you! Let's dive in.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Psoriasis often causes feelings of shame and embarrassment, of wanting to hide. My guest today is here to share about her journey with psoriasis: the ups and downs.  My guest today is Reena (aka Psoriaris_Thoughts). I found Reena on Instagram where she bravely shares her personal journey living with psoriasis. She's not just inspiring... she's also kind and real. Joining us from Canada, Reena is very candid about the ups and downs as well as what has helped her find peace living in her skin. Honestly, her approach to life can resonate with anyone living with pretty much any type of skin rashes. Join us as we discuss how your state of mind and how you see yourself -- either as a victim or hero of your story -- can impact the quality of your life. Have mindfulness and lifestyle changes helped your psoriasis? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Reena's story of living with psoriasis How Reena treated her psoriasis when she was in high school Insight for people who are struggling with how they view their bodies because of their chronic skin condition Quotes “I've written a lot of poetry about that. My body's my enemy, my body's other, my body is something that's betrayed me, that doesn't love me back.” [7:39] “So your heart, your body, your mind. It's like this trio of buddies. And we can take care of each part of ourselves and really start to feel great. So when I started giving my body what it needed, I find that my skin is much easier to live with.” [10:04] Links Find Reena on InstagramReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Is Vitamin D helpful for skin rashes? That’s a good question that I hope to answer today! What’s most interesting is that research seems to point towards an increase in rash severity the lower the Vitamin D level. This is significant because vitamin D isn’t checked as often as it should be. And then the question is “what should your vitamin D level be”? I’d like to answer those questions AND introduce you to the concept of using Vitamin D topically. Wait… topically? Yes, you can use vitamin D topically to help with psoriasis, eczema and even dandruff. Let’s dive in! In this episode: What is Vitamin D & how you can get it (skin production vs food sources) What Vitamin D does to help support healthy skin? Ideal blood serum level of Vitamin D & how often should you test Topical Vitamin D — can it be helpful? Studies looking at topical Vitamin D for psoriasis, eczema & seborrheic dermatitis Quotes: No matter how vitamin D gets into your body, you can't just use it at a cellular level until it’s activated by your liver and kidneys. Topical vitamin D is considered to be “steroid-sparing” meaning it reduces the need for topical steroids and could be helpful for rashes on the face or groin.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

For people who have struggled with skin conditions for a long time, finding hope and joy can become increasingly difficult. My guest today is here to share her story about finding and creating HOPE.    My guest today is Camille Knowles, qualified Health Coach, Natural Chef, and founder and author of The Beauty of Eczema. Camille is on a mission to share her wisdom and guide others in living a fulfilled life beyond eczema. While eczema is part of her journey, Camille is adamant that it doesn't define her. She discovered how a positive mindset, food, lifestyle, skincare and relaxation techniques could help her get gorgeous glowing skin. Join us as we discuss how to find hope when you are struggling with a chronic skin condition like eczema. Has hope and a support system positively impacted your health? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Camille's eczema story Why very restrictive diets can sometimes cause more harm than good What are the HOPE principles? The importance of support and hope Quotes “I ended up finding and learning that there's not just one puzzle piece that's going to help you live a life beyond eczema. It is a variation of puzzle pieces when they match up, you live a whole life beyond eczema, so that is the Hope Principles.” [2:28] “ I see it [eczema] as my physical sign to do what's best for me. And I feel blessed that I am able to view my eczema in that way and I want other people to be able to view it in that way too.” [15:17] Links Find Camille online The Beauty of Eczema book Find Camille on Instagram | InstagramReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

It's pretty common when your skin won't stop flaring to be told that you might have salicylate sensitivity. It's become an (unfortunately) popular test for people with eczema. I get asked a lot about it and whether I think that people should follow it. Being that I'm not a fan of restrictive elimination diets for chronic skin rash issues, I wanted to share my two cents. The truth is -- salicylate-rich foods are VERY healthy. They're not bad for you... and reacting to them often means something entirely different than "You should avoid them." In fact, outright avoiding salicylate-rich foods if you don't have a salicylate allergy is not a smart move. (And I mean a legit allergy... not a sensitivity.) It puts you at great risk for nutrient deficiencies and can make you unnecessarily miserable in the process. In today's episode, I'm sharing what a "Salicylate sensitivity" means to me AND what I do about it.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

The conventional treatment for skin rash issues like eczema is topical steroid creams. Trying to go off the creams after a long period of time can lead to a little known condition called topical steroid withdrawal (TSW).  My guest today is Louise King, a 28 year-old from the U.K. who is going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal and using all her spare time to raise awareness on the unrecognized illness Join us as we discuss topical steroid withdrawal, and how Louise is trying to heal from it. Have you suffered from topical steroid withdrawal? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: Louise's story with eczema and topical steroids What is topical steroid withdrawal? Did a doctor ever caution Louise about the use of topical steroids? What to do if you have TSW How an topical steroids affect you internally? Quotes “Topical steroid withdrawal is kind of like a drug withdrawal that you have to go through once you realize that you've got a topical steroid addiction.” [3:25] “I think if I had known of the consequences of that or the potential side effects of steroid creams, or really what they do to the body is way more terrifying than I ever imagined. I mean, they go straight to the bloodstream and kind of affect internal organs, which is where I'm at.” [7:24] Links Find Louise on Instagram The Eczema Life post about TSW ITSAN.orgReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com