Latest studies have found that common skin conditions such as eczema can be cured with the help of a yeast strain. This is found to be useful in all skin conditions characterized by inflammation. Peptides, which are present in the yeast, are useful in combating such conditions.
In the United Kingdom, eczema affects a surprising lot of people, many of whom are children. Of the total child population in the United Kingdom, eczema affects 20% of them. The disease reduces by the time the child reaches adolescence. Among the adult population, 7% of the population is affected by eczema. The adult population is more seriously affected by the disease and in most of the cases, exceza turns into a lifelong problem.
The most common kind of eczema is flakes on the skin that are dry and cause a lot of itching. Doctors are largely unsure about the cause of eczema. One of the most common causes, though, is yeast. This yeast is called Malassezia Sympodialis. This yeast strain is a common variety of yeast which is found in almost all people, even those who do not suffer from the skin condition.
When a person has eczema, it is easy for the yeast to penetrate into the skin and aggravate the problem. The present study is focused on finding a way to stop the penetration of yeast into the parts that are affected by inflammatory skin conditions. The study was conducted by researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute. The other aim of the study is to destroy disease causing yeast in a manner that does not affect healthy cells in the body.
The study aims to make use of peptides, which are natural antibiotics, in order to fight the disease causing yeast cells. Twenty one peptides were studies for the effect that they had on yeasts. These peptides were chosen based on two character traits – antimicrobial properties and cell-penetrating properties. Peptides which are capable of penetration into the skin are used as agents to deliver drugs into the skin. Antimicrobial peptides kill disease causing germs.
It was found that out of the twenty one peptides tested, six were successful in killing yeast cells. What is more, it was found that these peptides did not cause any kind of damage to the healthy cells that surrounded the infected cells. The research was carried out by Tina Holm and her team from Stockholm University. By finding out the manner in which peptides act on the skin, new eczema treatments can be formulated.