We are living in exciting times. In the last couple of years alone, new advancements in the treatment of eczema have been researched and tested with promising results. But a discovery from Swiss scientists reveals that a fungus might hold the key to better understanding eczema causes and triggers.
A recent report published by Science Daily announced, “Researchers at the University of Zurich demonstrated that the same immune cells that protect us against skin fungi also encourage the inflammatory symptoms of atopic dermatitis. An antibody therapy could alleviate this chronic inflammatory skin disease.”
Essentially, one of the jobs of the immune system is to guard the body’s largest organ, the skin. And when the scientists experimented with the reaction of human skin to the strain of fungus known as Malassezia, it was discovered that it triggered an immune system response remarkably similar to atopic dermatitis and eczema.
“The fungus becomes an allergen on the skin, so to speak, and triggers an overreaction of the immune system with the respective inflammatory characteristics.
As a result, scientists hypothesize that it may be possible to treat atopic dermatitis conditions with antibodies. According to Dr. Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann, who published the study, the antibodies already exist.
More research is needed, but this new approach to understanding how the immune system behaves when exposed to this fungus is the next step in our better understanding eczema.
At press time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is studying 40 possible treatments for eczema. Certainly, announcements similar to the news from Zurich offers hope for all people suffering from atopic dermatitis. In the meantime, if you are considering experimenting with a new treatment for your eczema, please contact your doctor first. Take a look at the latest eczema solutions from MG217 here.