Research
In atopic dermatitis, the skin becomes extremely itchy and inflamed, causing redness, swelling, vesicle formation, cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling. This type of eruption is termed eczematous. In addition, dry skin is a very common complaint in almost all those afflicted with atopic dermatitis.
Although atopic dermatitis can occur at any age, most often it affects infants and young children. Occasionally, it may persist into adulthood or may rarely appear at that time. Some patients tend to have a protracted course with ups and downs. In most cases, there are periods of time when the disease is worse, called exacerbations or flares, which are followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions. Many children with atopic dermatitis enter into a permanent remission of the disease when they get older, although their skin may remain somewhat dry and easily irritated. Multiple factors can trigger or worsen atopic dermatitis, including low humidity, seasonal allergies, exposure to harsh soaps and detergents, and cold weather. Environmental factors can activate symptoms of atopic dermatitis at any time in the lives of individuals who have inherited the atopic disease trait.
Recent research has shown eczema prone individuals to be more heavily colonized with Staphylococcus Aureus than the non-eczema afflicted population (Miller, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2018). This same research has directly connected chemical byproducts (Delta Toxins) of this colonized bacteria with the skin-based inflammation we know as “eczema.” At Turn, our goal is to address this root cause of inflammation, the excess bioburden, with non-sensitizing antimicrobials, all the while soothing symptoms and maintaining moisture balance with gentle carrier matrices.
