Microbiome-Balancing Wraps for Managing Eczema

Project Summary/Abstract: The long-term goal of this project is to develop microbiome-balancing antimicrobial wraps to use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis or eczema infections. The topical steroids used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis cause many side-effects and addiction. Additionally, the antibiotics used to treat AD infections eliminate skin commensals along with the targeted pathogens, resulting in skin microbial imbalance. Skin commensals play an important role in preventing the re-colonization and re- occurrence of the eczema by inhibiting the pathogens. Protective wraps or wet wraps made of skin commensal gentle antimicrobial compounds can prevent atopic dermatitis by promoting the growth of skin beneficial microbes and inhibiting the skin pathogens. CFD Research has discovered novel natural product-based compounds with skin commensal gentle targeted antimicrobial activity. In this proposal we seek to develop skin microbiome-gentle antimicrobial cotton fabrics that can release the compound at a certain rate to inhibit the pathogens while promoting growth of skin commensals.Project Narrative: This project aims to develop skin microbiome balancing antimicrobial cotton fabrics to use as wraps and wet wraps in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and eczema infections.