Eczema: How bacteria can accelerate the growth of skin condition
Share on Pinterest The growth of eczema on the skin can be accelerated by staph bacteria. photo_Pawel/Getty Images In a new study, researchers investigated how bacteria may affect eczema pathology. They reported that S. aureus bacteria mutate in eczema patches, enabling them to spread more quickly. Experts say the findings may have implications for helping to treat eczema. Eczema, the most common form of atopic dermatitis, is a non-contagious skin condition characterized by patches of dry, itchy skin. The condition affects about 30% of the population in the United States. While there is no cure for eczema, medications do exist to manage its symptoms. These include as topical corticosteroids and emollients and sometimes topical immunosuppressants. Eczema is thought to arise from a mix of environmental and genetic factors. Irritants found in soaps and surface cleaners, for example, can trigger the immune system, which then causes inflammation that may present as an eczema flare-up. Peo...