From Foe to Friend: Could common skin fungi be harnessed to heal the skin barrier?

From Foe to Friend: Could common skin fungi be harnessed to heal the skin barrier?

From Eczema Breakthroughs by Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER)

October 15, 2025 · 19 min · Episode 50

About this episode

The episode explores the potential role of common skin fungi in eczema and discusses innovative treatment approaches.

Is everyday skin fungus playing a bigger role in eczema than we ever realized? What if the culprit behind cradle cap, dupilumab facial redness and eczema flare-ups in puberty is hiding in plain sight, on the surface of our skin? Professor of Fungal Immunology from University of Zurich. Dr. Salome LeibundGut-Landmann, explains the secret world of skin fungi, how it affects eczema and a bold new project to convert fungi into skin helpers. Literature Mentioned Exeter secures £3.3 million grant to investigate treatment and prevention of eczema A Case of Cutaneous Fungal Infection Following the Administration of Dupilumab Retrospective Analysis of the Relationship Between Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis and Atopic Dermatitis   Malassezia-associated skin diseases in the pediatric population    Dupilumab facial redness: Clinical characteristics and proposed treatment in a cohort Advances on the role of mycobiome in atopic dermatitis

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Salome LeibundGut-Landmann

Topics covered

  • eczema
  • skin fungi
  • atopic dermatitis
  • pediatric dermatology
  • fungal immunology
  • treatment innovation

Keywords

  • eczema
  • skin fungi
  • Dr. Salome LeibundGut-Landmann
  • dupilumab
  • mycobiome
  • pediatric dermatology
  • treatment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Zurich, Exeter

Books & works: A Case of Cutaneous Fungal Infection Following the Administration of Dupilumab, Retrospective Analysis of the Relationship Between Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis and Atopic Dermatitis, Malassezia-associated skin diseases in the pediatric population, Dupilumab facial redness: Clinical characteristics and proposed treatment in a cohort, Advances on the role of mycobiome in atopic dermatitis

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