The Role of Skin Microbiome in Human Health and Diseases

Abstract

A diverse community of microorganisms that comprise the human skin micro-biome affects skin health and overall well-being. Bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses reside on the skin surface and interact closely with the host system. Advancements in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have greatly improved our understanding of the composition, function, and changes in skin microbiome during health and disease development. Skin microbiome maintains skin barrier function by regulating immunity and protecting against pathogens. Dysbiosis (imbalances in these communities) is associated with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, and psoriasis. Furthermore, growing evidence suggests that skin microbiome can influence health through connections, such as the gut-skin axis. Age, sex, personal hygiene habits, and environmental exposure can affect skin microbiome diversity. Treatment approaches that target the microbiome by using probiotics, prebiotics, or microbiome transplantation can manage skin diseases and improve skin health. However, when developing effective personalized treatments, challenges persist in establishing the cause-and-effect relationships between skin microbiome changes and specific diseases. Future long-term studies should be conducted using omics techniques to understand better the mechanisms by which certain microbes function and interact with the body. Delving further into skin microbiome creates opportunities for creating tools, treatments, and prevention methods in dermatology and other fields.