The Hidden Connection: Why Eczema and Staph Bacteria Are Married

If you’ve been living with atopic eczema like me, you’re likely familiar with the persistent itchiness, inflammation, and frustration that comes with it. Here’s a twist in the story that first suprized me and then made a lot of sense. I only found out a couple of years ago that research reveals that eczema doesn’t just attract staph bacteria—it seems to play a role in their overgrowth. And while this might sound alarming, understanding the science behind it can offer hope and new avenues for managing this condition.

If you want to know how I overcame my eczema and SIBO, check out the Blueprint stack.

The Staph Bacteria Invasion

For those battling eczema, it’s not uncommon to find that your skin is home to an unusually high number of staph bacteria, (the scientific name is Staphylococcus Aureus and it is one of the most common bacteria found literally everywhere). Studies have shown that people with eczema have a significantly higher load of these bacteria compared to those with healthy skin. Like many-folds more compared to eczema-free individuals! It's like your skin becomes an exclusive club for staph bacteria, and they’re taking over the guest list.

But here's the kicker, it’s not that eczema simply attracts these bacteria. The relationship is more complex. Research has uncovered that this overgrowth is deeply intertwined with the underlying mechanisms of eczema itself.

Eczemar and Staphanie: The Science Behind the Marriage

So, why does eczema lead to a staph bacteria boom? It turns out, the connection is more about a vicious cycle than a straightforward cause-and-effect.

Compromised Skin Barrier: Eczema damages the skin barrier, which is meant to act as a protective shield against pathogens like bacteria. When this barrier is disrupted, it creates an opportunity for staph bacteria to colonize and thrive. The presence of staph bacteria can further compromise the skin barrier. It’s like a double whammy—your skin is both a target and a victim in this scenario.

Inflammatory Response: Eczema triggers inflammation, which can attract staph bacteria. These bacteria are quite skilled at exploiting inflamed environments. They release toxins that can worsen inflammation, leading to more discomfort and exacerbation of eczema symptoms. It’s a cycle where the inflammation creates a favorable environment for the bacteria, which in turn makes the inflammation worse. I repeatedly scream about how high polyphenole EVOO helped me solve all of these problems.

Immune System Interplay: The immune system plays a crucial role here. People with eczema often have an altered immune response, which affects how their skin deals with bacteria. Normally, your immune system helps keep bacteria in check, but in eczema sufferers, this system is often in overdrive or misfiring, leading to an imbalance where staph bacteria can flourish.

I once had a curious case of staph eating me up and it was very terrifying. I'd get pimple sized, pimple looking flares which within 48 hours would go as deep as half and inch, filled with puss. They were all over my body and were very painful. I lived on the tropical island of Gili Air at the time so I thought I caught some tropical disease. I immediately flew myself to a great hospital where there was a tropical diseases section. The Professor and all his medical students got all excited, just to find out it was the good old staph:)) but insane amounts of it... I ended up having to take very heavy antibiotics for a long time and the scars all over my body and face, remain. As you can see, I witnessed first hand the marriage of Staphanie and Ezcemar:)

Hope on the Horizon

Understanding this relationship is crucial for finding effective treatments. Knowledge is King. Here’s how you can use this knowledge to better manage eczema and its bacterial companion:

Anti-Inflammatory Treatments: Managing inflammation through the food you consume can help break the cycle. By reducing inflammation, you can make the skin less attractive to staph bacteria. I personally managed to reduce my eczema by 92% drinking high polyphenole EVOO every day. I get mine from Brian Johnson's Blueprint stack (Snake Oil) and swear by it! Grateful that he keeps this longevity product line very affordable.

Enhancing Skin Barrier: Focus on treatments that help repair and strengthen the skin barrier. This might include using emollients and moisturizers that help keep the skin hydrated and protected, making it less hospitable to staph bacteria.

Bleach Bath: I know it doesn't only sound crazy but it is crazy. Have I done it? I don't currently have a bathtub but I would have if I had one. I heard about mixing a few drops of bleach in bathing water from many different dermatologists and do the bucket version for my hands. The logic behind is to keep the staph count in regular check. If you were ever in a situation where your active wear and sweaty gym visits are making your eczema + staph problem worse and you can't help but cry because it's only getting worse, keep this information in your pocket.

Over the years I discovered my own eczema immediate relief remedies that are completely natural. Read about them here.

The Dermatologist: Your dermatologist can offer the latest options and strategies to manage both the symptoms and the underlying issues. My dermatologist told me about a ridiculously expensive novelty treatment to live eczema free. I won't even mention what it is called because I believe it will die out like the Concorde for being unsustainably priced.

I'm talking about thousands of dollars for a single dose and you need a dose twice a month until you're eczema free, reduced to a single dose per month thereafter. I think it's also very important to talk about how much your dermatologist helps you. I see too many people never questioning if their doctor is actually helping to solve their problem. If your dermatologist can not diagnose your condition or says the cheesy line that there's no cure for eczema, feel free to divorce them. Find someone who believes they can help you.

The Bright Side

While the link between eczema and staph bacteria might sound alarming, the good news is that understanding this connection opens doors to more targeted and effective treatments. By tackling both the eczema and the bacterial overgrowth, you can take significant steps towards a healthier, more comfortable skin and thus, a better quality of life.

Check out my blog post on drinking oils that help with eczema here.

Remember friends, knowledge is power. Armed with the latest research and a proactive approach, you can better manage your eczema and improve your quality of life. Never give up on yourself. Your skin’s journey to better health might just be getting started!

Check out my other blog posts on gut health and eczema. You will never regret reading more of The Wellnessian!