157: How Your Immune System Can Trigger Skin Rashes w/ Heather Zwickey, PhD

Not many of us have heard of immunology, but it can actually give us some real insight into why we have skin rashes. My guest today is here to explain all about it.

My guest today, Heather Zwickey, earned a Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbiology from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

She went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship and teach medical school at Yale University.

At the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR, Dr. Zwickey launched the Helfgott Research Institute and established the School of Graduate Studies, developing programs in research, nutrition, and global health, among others.

Dr. Zwickey applies her immunology expertise to natural medicine research, and she currently leads an NIH funded clinical research training program. She teaches at many universities and speaks at conferences worldwide.

Join us as we talk about how the immune system and cytokines can be related to skin conditions.

Did you know about the relationship between your immune system and your skin? Let me know in the comments!

In this episode:

• What is immunology?
• What are cytokines, and how do they relate to the skin?
• Why does inflammation show up on different areas on different people?
• What is the connection between filaggrin and cytokines?

Quotes

“Your immune system is not only keeping you safe from infections, it's also keeping you safe from cancer. It's keeping you safe from autoimmune diseases. So it's the system in your body that's really promoting what we might call health.” [2:16]

“Everything that happens in your gut is going to happen systemically, because your immune system then travels through your blood, and through your lymphatics to the rest of your body, because it has to defend your whole body.” [10:05] 

Links

Find Dr. Zwickey online here

GRAB –> Jennifer's Allergen Cross-Reactivity eGuide

Healthy Skin Show ep. 086: Allergies, Your Immune System & Skin Rashes w/ Dr. Maya Shetreat

Healthy Skin Show ep. 001: How to Protect & Strengthen Your Skin Barrier w/ Dr. Peter Lio

Healthy Skin Show ep. 099: Vitamin D For Skin Rashes: Topical vs Oral Supplementation

Healthy Skin Show ep. 155: Oral Allergies + Cross Reactivity: How It Can Trigger Itchiness + Hives w/ Rakhi Roy, MS, RD, LDN

Follow Dr. Zwickey on Instagram

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