What probiotics are good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be beneficial to the human gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is the collection of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that reside in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics have been shown to be beneficial for a number of conditions and may reduce inflammation in the body.

There are no studies showing that probiotic can treat seborrheic dermatitis. However, probiotics may soothe your hyperactive immune system and reduce the severity of seborrheic dermatitis. 

There are so many probiotics on the market and it’s difficult to know which one works. Which probiotic strains would be most helpful for SD? Which brands contain live probiotics that would actually reach your gut?

Let’s take a deep dive:

What are probiotics and how do they work?

Check it out on Amazon

Buy from iHerb

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, may confer a health benefit. The term probiotic is currently used to describe dietary supplements and foods that contain beneficial bacteria and yeasts.

There are many different types of probiotics, and they come in many different forms: as capsules, tablets, powders, or liquids. You can also find them in some fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.

How do these tiny organisms work their magic? By restoring balance to the gut microbiota—the trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your digestive system. When this delicate ecosystem is out of whack (a condition called dysbiosis), it can lead to all sorts of problemslike bloating, constipation or diarrhea , skin conditions like acne or rosacea , mood swings , and even autoimmune diseases.

Are probiotics antifungal?

Probiotics are one of the best natural antifungal treatments and has been shown to be effective against multiple strains of fungi including Candida and Aspergillus. A Korean lab study showed that Lactobaccilus plantarum has antibacterial and antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Malassezia globosa and restricta.

In fact, a randomized placebo-controlled trial showed that when healthy volunteers took a specific oral probiotic containing Lactobacillus paracasei (ST11) for 2 months, their itch, scalp redness and amount of dandruff reduced. It also showed that the level of Malassezia yeast populations decreased.

Further reading: Is seborrheic dermatitis a fungus?

How do probiotics help seborrheic dermatitis?

There are many probiotics on the market. There is a lack of understanding about how probiotics work, leaving people to make uninformed decisions based on incomplete information.

Probiotic-containing foods like yogurt and kefir is a good place to start because they are easy to find and usually contains multiple strains of bacteria.

We know probiotics containing Lactobacillus paracasei may help reduce Malassezia populations on the skin and improve SD symptoms.

In fact, another study found topical application of probiotic showed promise in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea seborrheic dermatitis.

Probiotics can have a big impact on the skin in general and SD in particular:

• They help restore balance in the gut flora and prevent leaky gut which may help improve seborrheic dermatitis symptoms.
• Probiotics produce lactic acid and acetic acid which are two beneficial acids for treating seborrheic dermatitis and acne.
• Some probiotic strains possess anti-inflammatory properties which may help calm inflamed skin associated with seborrheic dermatitis .

Although probiotics do not help with hair regrowth, they can soothe the skin and ease irritations. In addition, probiotics have been shown to improve other aspects of health, such as helping with digestion and boosting the immune system.

Check it out on Amazon

Buy on Bulletproof. Use code MADAMEWELL20 for 20% off

What are the best probiotics for seborrheic dermatitis?

When it comes to probiotics, there are a lot of choices on the market. So, how do you know which one is right for you?

The key is to look for a probiotic that contains the Lactobacillus paracasei ST11 strain. This is the only strain that has been shown to be effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis.

Hyperbiotics Pro-15 Probiotic

Check it out on Amazon

Buy from iHerb

If you’re looking for a high-quality probiotic that contains the ST11 strain, Hyperbiotics Pro-15 Advanced Strength Probiotics is a good option. It’s made with 5 billion CFU count of probiotics and it’s released over an 8-10 hour period so that it can bypass stomach acids and reach deep into your intestinal tract alive.

Visbiome Probiotics

Check it out on Amazon

Visbiome is a high potency probiotic with 8 strains of live bacteria. There is a high bacteria count of 112.5 billion (what?!) bacteria per capsule. Among others, the product contains lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus plantarum, lactobacillus paracasei and lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies. However, Visbiome make no claims about whether their probiotics will be alive by the time they get to the gut (as they use vegetable capsules) and they are also priced a lot higher.

What are the side effects of probiotics?

When you take a probiotic supplement, it’s important to be aware of the side effects. Although most people don’t experience any problems, some people do have adverse reactions.

The most common side effect is diarrhea. This may be caused by taking too many probiotics or by taking a probiotic that’s not compatible with your gut flora. If you have diarrhea, bloating, or gassiness that’s a sign you’re taking a probiotic that doesn’t agree with you.

Symptoms like this are generally an indication of overdoing it and it’s best to reduce your intake until the symptoms pass.

Are probiotics safe for seborrheic dermatitis?

Probiotics are safe for seborrheic dermatitis patients. In fact, they may help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the condition. However, it’s important to choose a probiotic that contains the right strains of bacteria.

Be aware that Saccharomyces boulardii can cause adverse effects for immunocompromised individuals.

How do I know if my probiotic is working?

One way to tell if your probiotic is working is to monitor your symptoms. If you notice that they have improved, this is a good sign that the probiotics are doing their job. Another way to measure the effectiveness of your probiotic is by checking the number of colony-forming units (CFU). This tells you how many viable bacteria are in the supplement. The higher the CFU, the more likely it is that the probiotic will be effective.

Some people also like to track their progress by taking pictures before and after starting supplementation. This can help you see if there has been any improvement in skin health or gut function. Keep in mind, however, that results vary from person to person and some people may not experience any changes at all.

To wrap up

Probiotics may offer some relief for seborrheic dermatitis. Additional research is needed to determine the most effective strains and dosage, but probiotics hold promise as a safe and effective treatment for this condition.