The term atopic dermatitis refers to a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is very unpleasant for those affected. This is because the symptoms of this disease range from dry skin to cracked, scaly or reddened patches of skin. In severe cases, weeping eczema and agonizing itching can also occur.
This chronic disease can occur as early as infancy. In this case, it often occurs on the face, scalp, hands, arms, feet or legs. If it occurs in adolescents and adults, the hands, upper arms or back of the knees are often affected, for example.
Bringing about an improvement for all those affected plays an important role here. We asked pharmacist and Managing Director Patrick Günther what this could look like. You can find the answers right here:
Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease – what is it and what causes it?
Atopic dermatitis is also known as neurodermatitis or atopic eczema. Atopic dermatitis is an intermittent chronic skin disease, the exact cause of which has not been conclusively determined. Hereditary predisposition as well as other triggers can lead to the onset of the disease. Neurodermatitis is not contagious.
Triggers, also known as provocation factors, that cause an exacerbation or acute flare-ups are individual and can therefore vary greatly. These are often factors such as allergens, infections or psychological influences.
The burden for those affected is very high, as the skin is very dry. This is often accompanied by severe itching and inflammation. Factors that can affect the quality of life, but also the quality of sleep. The potential loss of performance at school and work should not be underestimated.
Now Spirularin® HF Gel was used as a treatment for precisely this condition. What exactly was the desired result or prognosis?
Patrick Günther: Several studies have shown that the microalgae active ingredient Spiralin® inhibits certain germs. These include the bacterium Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph. Aureus), which is frequently found in neurodermatitis sufferers, for example. This germ is a frequent trigger for the worsening of the disease.
The study should now examine whether daily skin care with Spirularin® HF Gel can bring about a positive change. This primarily involves a reduction in the harmful colonization with the germ. At the same time, the natural diversity of the skin flora (skin microbiome) is stabilized.
Did Spirularin® HF Gel live up to these expectations?
Patrick Günther: “The study showed impressive results. These include the fact that the use of Spirularin® HF Gel reduced the colonization of the germ Staph. Aureus has decreased and the diversity of the natural skin flora has improved. Finally, this confirms the positive effects of the gel on the microbiome after four weeks of treatment.
The study was conducted with 20 participants. A statistically significant improvement in the diversity of the microbiome was nevertheless demonstrated.
Spirularin® HF Gel is said to have positive effects on the microbiome. What exactly is behind the skin’s microbiome?
The skin flora or skin microbiome is our body’s first firewall (defense or security system) against external influences. The microbiome consists of a multitude of germs. These colonize our skin and are responsible for its proper functioning. This positive colonization also ensures that no harmful germs settle and multiply there.
If the skin microbiome is unstable, as is the case with skin damaged by atopic dermatitis, harmful germs such as Staph. Aureus can colonize and displace good germs. The consequences include
- a reduction in the diversity of the skin microbiome,
- a shift in the pH value
- and other factors that negatively influence the normal defense of the skin barrier.
What role does the patented microalgae active protection Spiralin® play in this?
Spiralin® is an extract obtained from the microalgae Spirulina Platensis using a patented process. The extract has been proven to have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial effects.
As already mentioned, Spiralin® therefore inhibits certain germs. In this case, germs that play a decisive role in atopic dermatitis were inhibited as part of the
The good thing about the microalgae active ingredient is that it can be used at any age. Whether for infants, older children or adults, there are no restrictions on its use.
As this is a patented active ingredient, it is only available in products from ocean pharma GmbH and Cesra Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG.
* Accompanied by Prof. Dr. med. Kristian Reich
Experten-Tipp entstand in Zusammenarbeit mit:
Patrick Günther
Patrick Günther completed his pharmacy studies in Hamburg and, after obtaining his licence to practise, worked for several years in marketing and sales in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2003, he took over ocean pharma, the company founded by his father in Reinbek near Hamburg in 1978. Together with his business partner, he patented the important processing and standardisation process for the microalgae active ingredient Spiralin® and developed a wide range of medical cosmetics and foot care products based on Spiralin®.
