Gut Health & Acne: The Gut-Skin Axis, LPS Translocation & What Actually Helps
The gut-skin axis is real — intestinal permeability allows LPS from gut bacteria to trigger the same TLR4 inflammatory cascade driving acne. Here's what the evidence shows and what to do about it
Bananas & Eczema: Nutrients, Histamine Liberation & the Latex-Fruit Syndrome Explained
Bananas contain vitamin B6, resistant starch, and potassium that support eczema from the inside — but latex-fruit syndrome and histamine liberation create specific risks for a subset. Here's how to tell which applies to you
Psoriasis on Elbows: Why It Appears There, How to Treat It & Long-Term Management
Elbows are one of the most common psoriasis sites — for specific anatomical reasons. Here's why, how elbow psoriasis differs from other locations, and what actually helps.
Microdermabrasion for Acne: Does It Help or Make Things Worse?
Microdermabrasion helps some acne presentations and worsens others. Here's an honest guide to when it's appropriate, the risks most articles miss, and better alternatives.
Paraffin Creams for Eczema: Benefits, Risks & Alternatives
Paraffin-based emollients reduce TEWL and are among the most effective eczema moisturisers available — but the fire risk from fabric saturation is real and specific. Here's what you need to know.
Psoriasis Fatigue: Why It's Biological Not Just Poor Sleep, What the Research Shows & What Helps
Psoriasis fatigue is driven by IL-6 and TNF-α crossing the blood-brain barrier — sickness behaviour, not lifestyle. Here's the mechanism, why biologics improve fatigue independently of skin clearance, and what nutritional support addresses the underlying pathways.
Hormonal Acne Diet: The IGF-1 Mechanism, Foods That Raise Androgens & What Actually Helps
High-glycaemic foods and dairy raise IGF-1 and activate mTORC1 — the same androgen-stimulating pathway driving hormonal acne. Here's what to eat, what to avoid, and why spearmint and DIM specifically address the hormonal dimension
Eyebrow Psoriasis: Seborrhoeic Overlap, Safe Topical Treatments & Hair Loss Explained
Eyebrow psoriasis frequently overlaps with seborrhoeic dermatitis — requiring antifungal treatment alongside emollient. Steroid-sparing topicals are essential for facial skin. Here's the specific treatment hierarchy and the hair loss question answered.
Turmeric for Acne: The Curcumin NF-κB Mechanism, the Bioavailability Problem & What the Evidence Shows
Curcumin inhibits NF-κB — the master inflammatory switch driving acne's inflammatory cascade. But its notorious poor bioavailability means most dietary turmeric delivers negligible active curcumin. Here's what actually works.
Omega-3 for Eczema: The EPA Eicosanoid Mechanism, ALA Conversion Rate & Which Form Works Best
EPA competes with arachidonic acid for cyclooxygenase enzymes, reducing the leukotriene B4 specifically elevated in eczema. ALA from flaxseed converts at only 5–10% — here's why the form of omega-3 determines whether it actually works
Acne Extractions: What Works, What Doesn't & When to Leave Spots Alone
Squeezing spots pushes bacteria sideways into the dermis rather than out — triggering more inflammation than the original spot. Here's when extraction works and when to leave it alone.
Dating with Psoriasis: Confidence, Disclosure & What Actually Helps
Dating with psoriasis is genuinely hard — the anxiety is real, documented in DLQI research, and feeds directly into flares. Here's the anticipatory anxiety mechanism, a practical disclosure framework, and why partners respond better than expected.