Blog

Psoriasis is not just a skin condition. It is estimated that nearly 125 million people worldwide have psoriasis. In recent years, the link between the microbiome and psoriasis has been increasingly recognised.

The human skin is home to a multitude of commensal microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites) that make up the skin microbiome. This collection of microorganisms interacts with skin cells and immune system cells to maintain skin homeostasis. At the same time, the human skin and its microbiome are subject to external and environmental stressors, such as ultraviolet light (UV). 

We often talk about the gut or skin microbiome but tend to overlook the one on our scalp. And yet, this unique ecosystem plays a crucial role in the health of our scalp: an imbalance can lead to complications.  

Atopic dermatitis  is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense itching and recurrent lesions. Nowadays, it’s considered one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting up to 20% of children and approximately 10% of adults. AD is now understood as a complex and multifactorial disease. It includes genetic abnormalities, alterations of the epidermal barrier, and an imbalance of the cutaneous microbiota. In this context, the study of the microbiome emerges as a central focus, as it's now clearly established that dysbiosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD and its severity.

Vulgar acne is a common inflammatory skin disorder of the pilosebaceous unit. It’s characterized by seborrhea and abnormalities in follicular keratinization. Today, acne is recognized as a multifactorial condition, with a high prevalence among young adults. Among the various factors involved in acne, one actor is attracting increasing interest: skin microbiota. 

Imagine a hidden community, nestled deep within the gut, made up of billions of microorganisms. This vast and invisible population—our microbiota—communicates in a language of chemical signals, metabolites, and subtle ecological balances. And prebiotics?

Recent advances in sequencing technology have demonstrated that the development of AD not only associates with the skin microbiome, but also with gut microbiota. In other words, unbalanced gut microbiome or intestinal permeability may lead to a loss of integrity of the skin barrier that might trigger predispositions to atopic dermatitis in this case.

Drugs have a significant impact on the gut microbiome, but the opposite is also true, gut microbiome has an impact on how the drug fulfills its mission. The onehealth paradigm is once again highlighted as a potential game-changer for treatment efficacy and toxicity elaboration.