Earlier research has suggested that colonization with common yeasts such as Candida or Saccharomyces in the skin or digestive tract are related to skin problems such as dermatitis. Other research has suggested that another yeast called Malassezia may also play a significantly role in skin problems. |
Clio Dessinioti et al. Seborrheic dermatitis: Etiology, risk factors, and treatments: Facts and controversies. Clinics in Dermatology 2013;13:343-51. Malassezia are yeasts found on the skin 75 to 98% of humans and are probably the most common human skin fungi. Some researchers believed that Malassezia is a commensal organism which does not cause much harm to humans. Other researchers believe that excessive growth of Malassezia or excessive human immune responses to Malassezia may be a common cause of many human skin problems such as dermatitis. Malassezia yeasts produce a number of chemicals on the skin such as indoles which are able to penetrate the skin and/or cause exaggerated immune responses. Heavy skin growth of Malassezia has often been associated with dermatitis and other skin conditions. {flike} |