‘Moisturize’: Treating atopic dermatitis by treating the skin microbiome
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Key takeaways:
- Moisturizers can improve atopic dermatitis.
- Improving the state of the skin microbiome can improve atopic dermatitis.
CHICAGO — Allergists treating atopic dermatitis might consider focusing on the skin microbiome to improve outcomes, according to a presenter at the Global Food Allergy Prevention Summit.
When the skin barrier becomes impaired, that can lead to microbiota, and then the immune system’s reaction can then stimulate itching, Peter Lio, MD, clinical assistant of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University, said during the presentation. This leads back to inflammation, which damages the barrier more and therefore continues the cycle.
What can be done?
Lio recommends moisturization. Moisturizer can alter the microbiome in a measurable way, Lio said, and so if the barrier leads to translocation of bacteria and if allergists can improve the skin barrier, food allergies can be reduced.
In a panel discussion, Lio shared that a moisturizer does not have to be expensive or fancy to be effective.
“I’ve even had patients use Crisco,” he admitted.
In his presentation, Lio said dupilumab (Dupixent; Sanofi Genzyme/Regeneron) therapy could also help patients achieve remission. Although oral probiotics have shown non-impressive improvements for patients, topical probiotics may help, Lio said.
A potential new approach could utilize antimicrobial enzymes, which can be produced synthetically. Lio referenced a study conducted in 2021 that tested a special formulation of the enzymes on patients and showed significant improvement in AD.
“Can we put people into a state [of] remission for atopic remission?” Lio asked. “I think the answer is yes.”