The Healthy Skin Show

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

If you’re interested in a neat connection between nutrition and eczema, look no further! I came across this interesting study that begins to illuminate the histidine-eczema connection. If you’ve never heard of histidine before (or l-histidine), I’ll bring you up to speed in a moment on this really interesting amino acid. This isn’t a miracle substance by any means, but there is interesting research that’s starting to explain the importance of protein in our diet (which you know I talk a lot about)! Low protein diets can have a negative impact on health AND your skin. Today’s episode will share with you how histidine may be a missing piece on your eczema and leaky skin journey! In this episode: Research on the histidine-eczema connection What is histidine (also more formally called l-histidine)? Food sources and supplements of l-histidine Can histidine supplementation increase histamine levels? Other nutrients needed to support histidine Quotes: According to the data, researchers found a dramatic improvement in eczema “similar to that of using mid-potency topical corticosteroids.” Histidine is an amino acid that is not synthesized or made in the human body. This means that you must consume it in order to have access to 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

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re on some variation of an elimination diet to help your skin. No matter how knowledgable you are, nothing will test your resolve like the holidays. The reason is that some people can easily become offended when you refuse to eat their food (no matter your health situation). In an effort to help you have a more enjoyable holiday (and ultimately burn fewer bridges), I want to share with you how to address diet restrictions after getting an invitation.  It does take some practice, but after 10+ years of living gluten-free, I can tell you that this approach works the majority of the time. There’s certainly no guarantee that someone will understand. But if you follow my lead, you’re less likely to create bad blood and hurt feelings. AND you might even end up with allies on your side. In this episode: How to handle invitations for the holidays when you’re eating a restrictive diet Why hosts can become offended by your diet choices (even though it has nothing to do with them) Why avoid last-minute announcements about your diet (and how to share what’s going on instead) How to deal with larger events like weddings or parties at restaurants Script for talking to the host (that minimizes hurt feelings & builds goodwill) Quotes: Though you and I might totally understand that you’re doing this for the sake of your skin or gut or thyroid or whatever… other people will not. Refusing food for the sake of YOUR health can cause hurt feelings. By approaching an invitation in this way, it helps your host know what to expect, not feel blindsided, and ultimately avoid embarrassment in front of other guests when you refuse to eat their food.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