The Healthy Skin Show

If you’ve ever tried eliminating foods to help your skin rashes, I want to share some newly published research on elimination diets + food fear. This research is extremely eye-opening AND troubling simply because it tells us that there is a very significant + real risk of wrecking your relationship with food. I’m not saying that improving the nutrient quality or diet diversity is a bad thing. But elimination diets (regardless of health concerns) can be an extremely slippery slope to disordered eating or even eating disorders. So let’s talk about how this happens and what the data tells us! In this episode: Why people try elimination diets for their skin The disturbing trend I see as a clinical nutritionist (working with skin problems) Most common thing people do first when they start to flare up Research on the incidence of food fear from elimination diets for chronic skin conditions What if you have a history of an eating disorder? When to ask for help so you don’t end up with an eating disorder Links: The Effects of Food Elimination Diets for Dermatological Conditions on Physical + Mental Health (POSTER) Quotes: Health problems can inspire substantial shifts in diet + lifestyle BUT, there’s a point where these changes can become counterproductive + even harmful. I generally do NOT recommend eliminations for people with a history of an eating disorder unless they are working with a therapist trained in this area.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 get to talk about the gut and skin "picture" that tends to show up in psoriasis patients. There's research that states that the gut of those who have psoriasis looks eerily similar to those who have inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. Yikes! Today's guest completely agrees with the emerging research as well, so let's dive in. Today's guest is Fabrizio Galimberti. He completed his medical training at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine-Case Western Reserve University, received his doctorate degree from Dartmouth College and his residency at the Jackson Memorial Hospital-University of Miami Miller School of Medicine where he also served as chief resident. Dr. Galimberti's research interests include oncodermatology, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, and impact on quality of life of dermatologic conditions. He has published numerous articles in prestigious journals as well as presented his work at international conferences. Are you a psoriasis warrior? How have you managed psoriasis? Let me know in the comments below! In this episode: Why psoriasis is NOT just a skin condition What does someone with psoriasis have in common with someone who has IBD or Crohns? Insight on looking at spouses who have the SAME diet where one has psoriasis and the other doesn't Why gut variability is important and how you CAN alter it Strep and other viruses as a possible trigger Quotes "It is a systemic disease. You see psoriasis, but psoriasis does not start on the skin. It starts inside your body." [01:15] "We do know that strep particularly can cause (a flare), but there's quite a lot of data out there that also suggests, for example, HPV or human papilloma virus, may be related to that." [21:47] Links Dr. Galimberti can be found at this email address: fxg331@med.miami.edu Healthy Skin Show ep. 069: Is Psoriasis A Gut Problem? Healthy Skin Show ep 117: Can A Strep Infection Trigger Psoriasis? Healthy Skin Show ep. 238: Inflammatory Connection Between Psoriasis + Depression w/ Fabrizio Galimberti, MD, PhDReady 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 never thought that I would get diagnosed with gingivitis + struggle with horribly painful, bleeding gums. But after months of intense stress, my mouth was really struggling at the end of 2022. After what was one of the most painful dental cleanings of my entire life, the dentist explained that I had pretty bad gingivitis with pockets forming around my teeth. Plus, a really sensitive spot on a tooth + weird burning spots on my gums that he couldn’t explain. After this tear-filled experience, I promised my dentist to turn things around. Since many of you know from other episodes of the Healthy Skin Show that the health of your oral microbiome is equally important to that of your gut, I want to share what helped me reverse gingivitis + bleeding gums. Here’s what I did AND the products that helped me! In this episode: How I developed bleeding gums + gingivitis What symptoms led to this diagnosis (+ what the dentist recommended) What steps I took to reverse bleeding gums The products that I used to treat my gingivitis What my dentist said at my six-month follow-up visit (amazing!) Quotes: I also discovered that many of the conventional + widely available dental floss products are coated with Teflon (PFAS)! A recent July 2023 study found that the effect of hydroxyapatite on cavity prevention is very comparable to fluoride toothpaste.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/

Many people have NOT heard about prurigo nodularis, but I feel like we will hear about it more and more in the coming years. It's incredibly ITCHY, and so many people have suffered from it because it's so relatively new in regards to being diagnosed. Prurigo nodularis nodules tends to be in middle-aged people, and it occurs in people who have not had skin issues their whole life! That's why I brought on the Super Man of "itch", and he does a deep dive in prurigo nodularis and how you can treat it. My guest today is Shawn Kwatra, MD is a Director of the Johns Hopkins Itch Center and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, USA. He specializes in medical dermatology areas of clinical expertise include atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, chronic itch of unknown origin and dermatology for ethnic skin. Dr. Kwatra also runs a basic science laboratory and clinical trials unit and is funded by the National Institutes of Health and multiple foundations. Dr. Kwatra has been an author or co-author on over 200 publications and author of the book Living with Itch. If you've dealt with prurigo nodularis, what helped quell the extreme itch? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks in the comments! In this episode: What is prurigo nodularis + what are the telltale symptoms? Some possible immune system triggers to watch out for Thoughts on current treatment options (+ what's coming down the pipeline) Cormorbitidities strongly associated with prurigo nodularis (watch out for these!) Is prurigo nodularis itch histamine-driven? (issues with using antihistamines) How prurigo nodularis impacts mental health (WOW) Quotes "Prurigo nodularis is arguably the itchiest of itch disorders. And so that leads to this impaired sleep. Then that can just wreck your whole life." [14:00] "In prurigo nodularis, you don't necessarily have that impaired barrier, but you have this stimulus of intense itch and skin thickening that then leads to secondary colonization (of bacterial infections)." [7:39] Links Find Dr. Shawn Kwatra online here and here Follow Dr. Kwatra on Twitter Get Dr. Kwatra's book Living with Itch: A Patient's Guide Healthy Skin Show ep. 275: Why You're So Itchy (HINT: It's Probably Not Histamine) w/ Dr. Shawn Kwatra Healthy Skin Show ep. 257: Itchiness + Histamine Intolerance – Why Am I Itchy? Healthy Skin Show ep. 070: Stopping The Itch In Children & Babies w/ Dr. Elisa SongReady 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/

Many of my listeners are parents or other types of caregivers for kids and have actually written me asking if your child could or SHOULD do a liver detox or how to detox your child after reading my own liver detox posts. And the reality is... I don't work with children and babies, so I can't be too sure for YOUR child! I actually refer all of those potential clients to today's guest because that's exactly whom she works with. So I'm excited to dive into this topic of liver detoxes for kids and babies because they ARE different than liver and full body detoxes for adults! My guest today is Jennifer Brand, MPH, MS, CNS, LDN. She's a clinical nutritionist and the CEO of Jennifer Caryn Brand Nutrition LLC. Jennifer helps children with dry, flaky, weepy, red, itchy, painful rashes navigate the journey to healthy skin and enjoy a childhood free from disruptive skin symptoms. Instead of managing symptoms with more diet restrictions, environment changes, and stronger prescription creams, Jennifer uses her 5 step signature approach, functional testing, and a detailed health history to uncover unique imbalances at the heart of the problem and provides a roadmap to restore balance so that your child can eat more foods, feel good in their skin, and regain normalcy. Jennifer’s own struggle with gut problems and disordered eating made worse with elimination diets, and her father’s, brother’s, and mother’s struggles with psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo left Jennifer frustrated. Conventional recommendations fell flat and didn’t help her or her loved ones get relief from these health problems. These experiences inspired her to search for a different approach, one that addresses the root causes of health problems like these. Jennifer has been a faculty member of LearnSkin, and her work has been featured in peer-reviewed scientific journals, Voyage LA, as well as on podcasts, online summits, and in-person presentations at venues such as Casa Colina Hospital in California. What helped your child's eczema the most? Please tell me what worked and what didn't in the comments! In this episode: How detoxification actually works Why your child MUST poop at least once a day- even if your doc says that it can be "normal" 4 strategies you can start NOW to help support your child’s liver and detoxification pathways How much water and protein does your child need for skin and wound healing? Why you may want to take a look into glycine if you want to supplement in addition to diet Quotes "Detoxification IS a really important step in the process. It's a piece of the puzzle to get your child's skin healthy and get that life-changing transformation for them, but if you're focusing on that just by itself, you're missing really important pieces of the puzzle. " [02:54] "What I suggest to parents is to make sure that they're getting in at least 1.5, if not two grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily (WOW!) to fuel growth and development and healing. So it's a lot higher than the standard guidelines actually say. And that's because, you know, when you look at the guidelines and what's out there, those recommendations are to prevent deficiency. They're not for optimalReady 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’re into looking at research to figure out more natural ways to support your skin condition (eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, hives, seborrheic dermatitis), this episode is for you. Like you, I love digging through research to see what’s being ignored or overlooked with the hopes of helping listeners as well as my clients. But there’s a sneaky truth that I think needs to be stated clearly… Research isn’t always right. What do I mean by that? Sometimes the outcome of a study looks so promising, but when you use the same exact intervention in a clinical setting, the results aren’t nearly as incredible. Not knowing these issues with translating research to your case could leave you feeling like you’re somehow broken beyond repair because what appears to work for others just will not work for you. I want to dive into these problems with research as well as how research + studies may be presented to you (the patient or caregiver or interested party) so you can take a much more balanced + pragmatic approach to research! In this episode: Ways that research may be presented that’s misleading Why testing out data in clinical practice matters so much Problems with small studies (even when the results look so promising) Types of content that may often misrepresent data Why you should ALWAYS look at the references! Tips on how to assess study citations for educational content + products Quotes: Many blog posts are littered with references that don’t actually back up any of the claims the author is trying to make. Beware of authors + expert who know that their audience doesn’t know how to read research + unfortunately won’t question the conclusions they’ve drawn nor look at the research they’ve cited.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 going to talk about Eczema Herpeticum -- which we've never done a deep dive on with a dermatologist before. Today's guest is not only a favorite guest of the show, but he's seen it all in his practice and will delve into why we need to be very careful trying to fight off viral infections on our own with a compromised skin barrier. 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. Have you or a loved one ever suffered from eczema herpeticum? Please tell me what worked and what didn't in the comments! In this episode: What is eczema herpeticum + what causes it? Eczema herpeticum vs Staph infection - what's the difference? Possible complications with eczema herpeticum outbreak DIY treatment vs seeing a doctor - what's the best route? Eczema herpeticum treatments (medication vs supplements) Is eczema herpeticum contagious? Can a herpetic outbreak occur in other skin conditions? Quotes "If it gets near your eye, it can actually start to involve the eye, which is dangerous. That can be really an eye emergency. You can permanently damage your cornea and have trouble. " [03:33] "Any kind of a barrier damage could lead to the herpes virus doing this. So it could be from poison ivy, it could be in some of the genetic conditions like derriere disease, it could be from people with blistering disorders, it could even be from just irritation." [14:18] Links Find Dr. Lio Online | Twitter | Facebook Healthy Skin Show ep. 106: What The Heck Is Eczema Herpeticum? w/ Abby Lai Healthy Skin Show ep. 176: Dealing With Recurrent Skin Infections w/ Dr. Peter Lio Healthy Skin Show ep. 107: Symptoms Of A Staph Infection On Your Skin Healthy Skin Show 246: Everything You Need To Know About Skin Tests (Done By Your Dermatologist) 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/

People always ask me what's a priority in terms of dealing with skin issues, and they usually start with diet. However, if you're a longtime listener, you know having healthy skin is NOT just about what you eat. One thing to check in the beginning of any health journey is blood sugar levels, but there are a variety of factors that go into regulating blood sugar. Today's guest dives into how she looks at balancing blood sugars as one of the foundational things when working with her clients, especially when dealing with hormonal imbalances. Erin Holt is an integrative and functional nutritionist with a feisty attitude and over a decade of clinical experience. She blends evidence-based practices, functional lab testing, energy medicine, boundary setting and humor for a unique and customized approach to women’s health. She dives deep with women to get to the root cause of their health issues and finally get answers to their mystery symptoms. In addition to running multiple online nutrition and functional medicine programs, Erin is the founder of the Funk’tional Nutrition Academy, a 14 month practitioner training and mentorship helping nutrition pros level up with functional medicine methodologies. You can find Erin rabble-rousing on her weekly show, The Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast. What's one thing that has helped balance your blood sugars and has it helped your skin or other health condition? I'd love to hear about it in the comments! In this episode: What blood sugar balance means for skin + overall health Understanding insulin resistance, carbs + blood sugar Crazy impact stress can have on blood sugar balance Best labs for blood sugar (so you know what's going on) Pros + cons of a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Erin's tips for better blood sugar balance Quotes "What's normal is that you eat food and you just feel less hungry. There really shouldn't be a dramatic change of your energy levels. If there is, that could indicate blood sugar dysregulation." [06:21] "One of the things that happens is that our adrenal hormones, cortisol being one of them, come in to bring glucose back up. So there's this real intimate connection and it's why, before I even help somebody balance their hormones, I want to make sure that their blood sugar is balanced so that cortisol is not being called on all of the time to do the job that food should really be doing." [03:26] Links Find Erin online | Instagram | Funk’tional Nutrition Academy Get Erin's FREE GUIDES: The Digestive Guide | The Metabolism Training Series The Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast- Episode 87: Eczema, Skin Rashes & What You Need to Know with Jennifer Fugo 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'm over the moon to share today's interview! My guest today authored one of the first trauma books I truly enjoyed reading, and I think the book makes sense to the average person; it's not like a difficult-to-read textbook at all. Not to mention, she is the first expert on trauma that agreed to come on the show! MaryCatherine McDonald, PhD is a research professor and life coach who specializes in the psychology of trauma, stress, and resilience. She has been researching, lecturing, and publishing on the neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience of trauma and stress since beginning her PhD in 2009. She is passionate about destigmatizing trauma, stress, and mental health issues in general, as well as reframing our understanding of trauma to better understand and treat it. She's also the author of Unbroken: The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong: And Other Things You Need to Know to Take Back Your Life -- which I've personally read + give five stars on! Have you ever felt trauma when dealing with the health system surrounding your skin condition? Have you considered how past trauma may be playing a role in your health! Please share with me in the comments! In this episode: When does the trauma response kick in? How trauma shows the body's strength NOT weakness Understanding your brain's "filing system" What constitutes trauma + how the definition has changed How to think about skin picking When is it time to seek help in processing trauma or unprocessed emotions? Strategy to actively develop hope (even if you don't feel hopeful now) Quotes "To be traumatized was to be feminine and weak and disordered. And then when soldiers started coming home with those same symptoms, researchers were like, "OK, well, it's obviously not the uterus," but we still carried with it that idea of shame and feminine weakness." [05:36] "You go to the medical community, and then unfortunately sometimes, for whatever reason, you are dismissed, and you are told it's all in your head, right? By the way, if it's in your head, it's in your body." [18:33] Links Find Dr. McDonald online | Instagram | TikTok Get her book -- Unbroken: The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong: And Other Things You Need to Know to Take Back Your Life Healthy Skin Show ep. 162: Loss + Trauma Associated With Topical Steroid Withdrawal w/ Kathryn Tullos Healthy Skin Show ep. 029: Is Trauma A Root Cause For Your Skin Rashes? w/ Dr. Keesha Ewers HealthyReady 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 have any type of chronic skin issue, I’ll bet you’ve probably gone down an internet rabbit hole to figure out if dairy is bad for chronic skin issues. Well, in Part 3 of this three-part series, I’ve got some really eye-opening research to share with you that even surprised me! I’ve spent the past two parts diving into why I think we need to rethink the ideas we believe about dairy and how to assess whether dairy or plant-based milk is better for you. If you missed them, I highly recommend you go through Parts 1 and 2 first as each episode builds upon the next in this series. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1 CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 But even with all of that, there are some extremely practical questions that still need to be answered especially when it comes to food allergies as well as the accessibility and cost of dairy and plant-based options. I hope that you’ve found this series enlightening + eye-opening whether you agree with my take or not. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide what’s best for you, so let’s dive in! In this episode: Cost + accessibility of dairy vs plant-based milk products Recipes for making plant-based milk at home Thoughts on raw milk Allergies to dairy AND plant-based milk options Is dairy REALLY bad for skin problems? (RESEARCH) Final thoughts on what’s best Quotes: Consider what your needs, allergies, health concerns, access, financial flexibility, and values are about how both people + animals are treated – and make a decision that is best for you. Lactose intolerance can make dairy challenging for some, but it’s not as serious of a concern as a dairy allergy (which for some can be life-threatening).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/