Contact Dermatitis: Patch Testing, Allergens and Prevention
Irritant vs allergic contact dermatitis, what patch tests can and cannot show, and the evidence on barrier creams, steroids and common allergens.
Eczema & Skin
Independent, evidence-based research on eczema and atopic dermatitis — supplement and management claims graded against primary studies, no industry spin.
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis: Independent Evidence on Treatments
Ketoconazole shampoo has the best independent support for seborrhoeic dermatitis, but the evidence is modest, and many trials were company-funded.
Scabies: Independent Evidence on Permethrin and Ivermectin
Permethrin and oral ivermectin clear scabies about equally by week two, but permethrin resistance is disputed and UK supply has been unreliable.
Psoriasis: Independent Evidence on Treatments, Supplements & Risk
Biologics and topical treatment are the established route for plaque psoriasis. Fish oil and vitamin D show no clear benefit, and curcumin evidence is weak.
Stress Hair Loss: Telogen Effluvium, Minoxidil, Biotin & Money
Stress shedding (telogen effluvium) usually regrows on its own. Independent evidence on causes to rule out, minoxidil, biotin risks and who funds hair-supplement trials.
Astaxanthin: Skin, UV Response, Exercise and Safety Evidence
Small varied astaxanthin trials report moisture and elasticity signals, with uncertain practical benefit. They do not establish sunscreen replacement or human lifespan extension; dose rules, safety and financial limits are preparation-specific.
Glutathione: Skin Trials, Antioxidant Markers and Injection Safety
Small commercially supported glutathione trials show mixed pigmentation and antioxidant-marker findings. Limited wrinkle measurements do not establish general anti-aging, detoxification or lasting whitening. Injection alerts concern specific cosmetic-use and compounding risks; long-term and medicine-combination safety remain uncertain.
Eczema Supplements: Evidence, Uncertainty and Safety
Key takeaways No supplement cures eczema — vitamin D and omega-3 studies have mixed or preliminary signals, while probiotics are not supported as routine treatment; any supplement considered is an adjunct to moisturizers and prescribed anti-inflammatory treatment. Vitamin D evidence conflicts: a 2024 meta-analysis of 11 RCTs (686 participants) found a modest severity reduction (SMD … Read more
Eczema Prevention and Management: Evidence and Safety Guide
Key takeaways A 2017 Cochrane review included 77 moisturizer studies with 6,603 participants. Its flare analysis used six studies and 607 participants: moisturizer groups had lower flare risk than vehicle, placebo or no moisturizer (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17–0.62; moderate-certainty evidence). This concerns established atopic eczema, not prevention of a first diagnosis; 46 trials reported … Read more