Greetings to all skin microbiome enthusiasts and readers. 

Indeed, we’re not fans of pathogens! What I appreciate about them is their predictability (in my opinion) when they invade a human’s microbiome. For instance, consider eczema: the dry skin creates a hospitable environment for pathogens, with Staphylococcus aureus being a common one. This bacterium competes for nutrients with the natural human microbiome on the skin, flourishing as the population of native healthy microbes diminishes. 

It has been recently discovered that this pathogen is responsible for the itching associated with eczema. So, my interest in their predictability really stems from my admiration for the scientific efforts to understand the actions of various microbes. For instance, understanding that Staphylococcus aureus is the cause of the most common complaint among eczema patients—itchy skin—gives me a clear objective and in my mind makes that pathogen predictable (stupid, right?). Now I have something solid to work with: To alleviate the itch, we must inhibit the growth of such pathogens. While there are existing solutions to eradicate and suppress pathogens, not all are safe, prompting the need for alternative, safer, more effective, and superior solutions. My satisfaction with the predictability of pathogens lies in the belief that there’s a strong chance to combat them, as we can anticipate their next move.

Until the next blog, cheers