New research published in JAMA Dermatology suggests that children with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a painful chronic skin disease, may have an imbalance in their gut bacteria. This imbalance, known as gut microbiome dysregulation, could be connected to mental health issues by affecting nerve signals from the gut. However, further studies are needed to confirm this link.
Hidradenitis suppurativa causes inflamed, painful lumps typically in areas such as the armpits, groin, buttocks, and breasts. When these lumps break open, they release pus and fluid, leading to severe skin scarring. The condition often involves flare-ups, scarring, and draining tunnels, which require urgent medical care to avoid complications.
Researchers studied eight children with HS and compared them with eight healthy controls to understand gut bacteria differences. HS shares traits with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including similar skin and gut symptoms, genetic risks, and immune responses.
The team collected stool samples and found that children with HS had less diversity in their gut bacteria compared to healthy children. They also observed specific changes in bacterial types. For example, certain bacteria like Ruminococcus, Clostridium, and Bifidobacterium adolescentis were more common in children with HS compared to adults with the disease.
The study showed that the bacterial community in children with HS was more varied than in healthy children. Notably, an increase in the Bacteroidetes group of bacteria appeared in children with HS. They also found rises in an unknown Ruminococcaceae genus and Bilophila bacteria, along with Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which is usually beneficial.
One interesting finding was that all children with HS had B. adolescentis bacteria, which were absent in adults with HS. This bacterium is linked to anxiety and depression because it can influence nerve signals from the gut to the brain.
The researchers suggest future studies should include mental health screenings to better understand these connections. Mental health problems left untreated may lead to substance abuse, as some patients try to manage pain with alcohol or opioids. These substances can worsen HS and create further health problems.
The study concludes that gut microbiome imbalance is present in children with HS, highlighting the need for more research on how this affects both skin and mental health.
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