Epidermal Barrier Dysfunction

[Guide]

image courtesy of ScienceDirect

There have been some discussion that the cause of at least some types of rosacea may be due to an epidermal barrier dysfunction. The paper cited on this theory says, "Erythema, burning, dryness and itching are the characteristics of papulopustular rosacea, which makes it different from acne vulgaris. The epidermal barrier function was damaged in papulopustular rosacea patients while not impaired in that of acne vulgaris patients." [1]

This discussion was started by Dram in January 2018 at RF. An earlier thread started by Drummond in 2006 is somewhat related. 

In a paper discussing atopic dermatitis [AD] it states, "The strong association between both genetic barrier defects and environmental insults to the barrier with AD suggests that epidermal barrier dysfunction is a primary event in the development of this disease." [2]

This may be related to the Skin Barrier Integrity with Fatty Acids Theory. 

End Notes
[1] Pak J Med Sci. 2016 Nov-Dec; 32(6): 1344–1348. doi:  10.12669/pjms.326.11236 PMCID: PMC5216279 PMID: 28083023
Clinical characteristics and epidermal barrier function of papulopustular rosacea: A comparison study with acne vulgaris
Maosong Zhou, Hongfu Xie, Lin Cheng, and Ji Li

[2] Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Volume 129, Issue 8, August 2009, Pages 1892-1908
Epidermal Barrier Dysfunction in Atopic Dermatitis
Michael J.Cork  Simon G.Danby YiannisVasilopoulos J onathanHadgraft Majella E.Lane ManarMoustafa Richard H.Guy Alice L. MacGowan RachidTazi-Ahnini Simon J. Ward

[Guide]

"We used to think that the problem was primarily an immunological one in the skin with T-cells over-reacting and causing an inflammatory reaction to allergens - and we thought you would therefore get thinner skin as it all progressed. However, many now think we had that the wrong way round and it is because the skin barrier is not right that it all happens. Therapy to date has therefore been largely immunosuppressive, but barrier repair treatments have been showing great promise."

Thinny Skinnies – Leaky skin: the cause of dermatitis, eczema and skin allergies?, by Micki Rose, Skin Matters