A microbiome is a colony of single-celled microorganisms, typically bacterium, virus, or fungus, that live in a particular environment. Understanding the microbiome of plants, animals, and the environment can lead to monumental scientific discoveries. The most influential community of microorganisms is in the gut. The gut microbiome plays a fundamental role in how the mind and body function. Friendly bacteria reinforce the gut barrier and keep us healthy and happy. The microbiome is the first line of defense against pathogens and invaders. When the microbiome is imbalanced, harmful bacteria spread and cause disease. Bacteria in the gut influence genes, behavior,...

What is Pustular Psoriasis? Pustular psoriasis is an uncommon type of psoriasis that is distinguished by the development of pus-filled blisters on top of excess layers of skin. Fortunately, it only affects approximately 2% of people with psoriasis in the United States. At first, pustular psoriasis appears like common plaque psoriasis—red, dry, itchy, scaling skin lesions spread across the body—but within hours of a flare-up, people suffering from pustular psoriasis will see blisters manifesting. Pustular psoriasis is unique because there are three types of it. The different types are important to distinguish in order to determine which psoriasis treatment is...

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease characterized by raised plaques on the surface of the skin, or in the joints. Normally, immune systems only attack foreign substances in the body like viruses and bacteria. However, for individuals with psoriasis, the immune system attacks healthy skin cells and commands new skin cells to rapidly grow. This results in layers of skin cells growing on top of each other, forming patches of excess skin that are dry, flaky, itchy, red, and inflamed.   Pustular psoriasis is an uncommon form of psoriasis that primarily presents with adults, which is neither infectious or contagious. It...