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Topical fungal protocol
🕑 Added 2024-07-16 16:40:53 +0000 UTCFungal infections on the skin, such as those caused by Candida species, can be interconnected with gut health, and the relationship between skin and gut health is increasingly understood to be bidirectional rather than unidirectional. While it's well known that gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut microbiota) can influence skin health, there is growing evidence to suggest that skin conditions can also impact gut health.
The skin and gut are both heavily involved in the body's immune system. An infection or inflammation in one can trigger immune responses that affect the other. This means a persistent fungal infection on the skin can potentially impact gut health through systemic immune responses.
The microbiomes of the skin and gut can communicate through the immune system and metabolic pathways. Disruptions in the skin microbiome can influence the gut microbiome and vice versa. For example, a fungal infection on the skin could alter the skin microbiome in a way that affects the gut microbiome, potentially making it harder to resolve gut Candida overgrowth.
The concept of leaky skin ‘is somewhat analogous to ‘leaky gut’ Damage to the skin barrier can lead to increased permeability, allowing pathogens and toxins to enter the body, which can provoke systemic inflammation and immune responses that affect the gut. Similarly, a compromised gut barrier can lead to systemic inflammation that affects the skin.
Chronic skin infections can lead to systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate gut issues. Inflammation is a key factor in maintaining or disrupting the balance of microbiota in the gut and can make it harder to eradicate Candida.
Given the interconnected nature of skin and gut health, addressing both aspects simultaneously can be crucial for resolving persistent issues like Candida overgrowth. Here are some strategies:
Addressing topical infections
Many topical fungal creams and medications have side effects. Many of them also don’t work particularly well, with fungus often developing resistance to treatment. Here’s a few options I think are safer and more effective. Some have had success using these for other skin issues like acne as well. This isn’t an exhaustive list of treatments for various skin issues. So you can experiment around and see what works for you
Because many skin issues are also a reflection of our health internally (particularly the health of the gut) its usually necessary to stack topical treatments with systemic treatments as well. If you’re dealing with a topical fungal infection, the full body fungal protocol by be something you want to consider as well. You can find that bellow
https://www.patreon.com/collection/519353?utm_campaign=collectionshare_creator
1. Ozonated oils
Ozone (O3) is a powerful oxidizing agent. It attacks the cell walls of bacteria and fungi, causing them to rupture under oxidative stress. Once the cell wall is compromised, ozone can penetrate the cells and oxidize intracellular components, including nucleic acids, proteins, and enzymes. This leads to the disruption of cellular functions and eventually cell death. Ozone can interfere with the metabolic pathways of microorganisms, inhibiting their ability to reproduce and carry out essential functions.
Ozone itself interacts with bacteria in a different way than antibiotics. Traditional antibiotics typically target bacterial structures like cell wall synthesis or protein synthesis, and bacteria can develop resistance by mutating those targets or developing mechanisms to inactivate the drug. Ozone attacks the bacterial cell membrane itself, making it impossible for bacteria and fungus to develop resistance to ozone. It’s like sitting in the sun vs getting torched by a flame thrower. You may get a sun burn and die from skin cancer. Or may develop a solar callus and be fine. There’s no developing a tolerance to a flame thrower 🤣
Ozonated oils usually contain hemp or olive oil with the ozone gas infussed into them.
Dosing: re apply twice a day to affected area
https://shop.puro3.com/puro3-ozonated-olive-oil-2-or-4-oz
2.Topical silver
Silver ions can bind to the cell membranes of bacteria and fungi, leading to structural changes and increased permeability. This allows silver ions to penetrate the cells more easily. Once inside the cell, silver ions can bind to various cellular components, including DNA, RNA, proteins, and enzymes. This binding can disrupt critical biological processes and inhibit cell replication.
Silver ions can bind to thiol groups in enzymes and proteins, leading to the inactivation of these molecules as well . This inhibits essential enzymatic functions required for cell survival and replication. Silver ions may also interfere with the electron transport chain in microbial cells, disrupting energy production and leading to cell death.
Dosing: 2-3x daily. I would not use this for acne. Only fungal infections personally. You don’t want to overdue silver,
My brand recommendation
https://www.silverfernbrand.com/a/s/products/nano-gel
(To be continued)
3. Methylene blue topical + red light
Photodynamic therapy is a treatment that utilizes light-sensitive compounds (like methylene blue) called photosensitizers, which are activated by specific wavelengths of light. When these photosensitizers are exposed to light, they transfer energy to surrounding oxygen molecules, producing reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen and free radicals. These ROS are highly toxic to cells and can damage various cellular components, including membranes, proteins, and nucleic acids. In the context of killing bacteria and fungi, the generated ROS disrupt the integrity of the microbial cell walls and membranes, leading to cell death. Bacteria and fungi also have a hard time adapting to this. It’s similar to ozone
PDT is especially effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic-resistant strains, because it targets multiple cellular structures and mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of resistance development. Additionally, the localized nature of light activation ensures that the treatment is confined to the area of desire, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This makes PDT a promising alternative or adjunct to traditional antimicrobial therapies, particularly in treating localized infections and biofilms that are difficult to eradicate with conventional methods.
How is it performed?
with topical PDT, methylene blue is usually applied via cotton ball to the area. It’s then treated with red light 3-4x a week for 10-15min.
Brand: compass labratories MB
4. Spore based probiotics
Many spore based probiotic strains have demonstrated good clinical efficacy in managing skin conditions by improving the health of the gut, preventing endotoxin accumulation in the skin, and modulating components of the immune system in the skin itself (gut-skin axis).
Brand: Just Thrive, 1 capsule daily.
Code: GRANTFOWLER15
5. TOPICAL spores
In addition to systemic probiotics, topical probiotics can also be useful for maintaining the microbial environment of the skin. New papers have validated recently that the skin itself has a ‘microbiole’ of sorts, which is extremely important for discouraging the growth of opportunistic organisms and maintaining the barrier of the of the skin. This is best used later in the day before bed after you’ve used your topical anti-fungals for the day
https://www.younggoose.com/collections/main-product-line/products/siv-biome-balancing-serum
Comments
yannick tinguely mabillard
Interesting read! A few questions 1. would you do all of them at the same time, or choose one then cycle to go through the whole list? 2. I do have a tendency for itchy scalp and sometimes the skin under my beard. I can shave but don't necessarily want to go bald right now, would it work if I cut my hair very short and apply the creams with hair on my head? 3. I'm based in Germany, not easy to get the exact same products you recommend. I found one ozonated olive oil, there's also zinc oxide in it - ok or big no no? thanks in advance
S Bajwa
You linked the nano silver for the ozone oil link.
Will Worrell
Is this applicable for tinea versicolor?
Seb
Hi Grant! Is Tea Tree Oil another alternative that could be used for difficult areas to treat such as the scalp?
Daniel
This is awesome info, thank you! With the formation of ROS and other oxidative stresses with these strategies, is there a risk of affecting healthy surrounding tissues if overdone?
Marissa Ellis
This targets one of my previous questions directly, thank you!!!
