Live with the Eczema Doc

Ep.23: Your Skin Barrier Is LEAKING: The Lipid Science Behind Eczema (& What Actually Helps)

Your skin barrier is made up of specialized fats — and in eczema, those fats are broken. In this episode, Dr. Fong breaks down the "bricks and mortar" model of your skin barrier, explains exactly what goes wrong in eczema skin (shorter chain ceramides, kinked fatty acids, and increased water loss), and shares the evidence-based supplements and dietary strategies that can help rebuild your barrier from the inside out. Topics covered: * The brick wall model — what your skin barrier is actually made of * Ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids — the lipid trio that holds your skin together * What goes wrong in eczema — shorter chain ceramides and "leaky skin" * The vicious cycle of inflammation and barrier breakdown * The truth about moisturizers — why no product is proven superior * Supplements with the strongest evidence: Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and topical B12 * Promising options: L-histidine, oral ceramides, probiotics, and zinc * The gut-skin connection and why fiber matters * Q&A: Tacrolimus — short-term benefits vs. long-term concerns * Q&A: NAC & glutathione — why timing matters for eczema patients Resources mentioned: * Free Healing Kickstart Guide: https://www.cleanbody.health/eczema-healing-kickstart-guide [https://www.cleanbody.health/eczema-healing-kickstart-guide] * Free Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com/ [https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com/] * Full blog post: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/eczema-your-skin-barrier-the-lipid-connection [https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/eczema-your-skin-barrier-the-lipid-connection] * Book an Eczema Clarity Visit ($97): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit [https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit] * Supplement recommendations: https://us.fullscript.com/plans/cleanbody-eczema-recommendations-all [https://us.fullscript.com/plans/cleanbody-eczema-recommendations-all] 🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm 🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com 📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit 🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Ep. 22: Eczema Relief Without Steroids: What Actually Works (Backed by Research)

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of using steroids… only to have your eczema come right back—this episode is for you. In this episode of Live with The Eczema Doc, I’m breaking down evidence-based, non-steroid topical treatments that not only provide relief—but can actually help address the root causes of eczema. Because here’s the truth:  👉 Steroids suppress symptoms… but they don’t fix what’s driving your eczema. We’re diving into: * Why steroids and calcineurin inhibitors often lead to the “apply → improve → flare” cycle * The real root causes of eczema (microbiome imbalance, barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation) * How bacteria (Staph aureus) and yeast (Malassezia) drive flares * The best non-steroid topicals backed by research: * Hypochlorous acid * Zinc pyrithione * Vitamin D, B12, B6, and niacinamide * How to know which topical is right for YOUR eczema * Why some “natural products” can actually make eczema worse * Real case studies (including infants) showing what’s possible without steroids ✨ Plus, I share how I personalize topical treatments in my practice to target the root cause—not just calm symptoms. If you’re ready to stop the cycle and start actually healing your skin—this episode is a must-listen. 👉 Want a full breakdown of these treatments + exact recommendations? I wrote a detailed blog that walks you through this step-by-step: 🔗 https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/beyond-steroids-alternative-topical-treatments-that-actually-work ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider. 🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm 🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com 📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit 🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Ep. 21: Top 10 Game-Changing Tips to Heal Your Child’s Eczema Naturally

If you’re a parent watching your child struggle with scratching, bleeding, or sleepless nights from eczema, this episode is for you. In Episode 21 of Live with The Eczema Doc, Dr. Fong, a naturopathic doctor specializing in eczema, is joined by Cleanbody Practitioner and eczema expert Tori Taggart, MS, CNS. Together, they share ten of the most powerful lifestyle and nutrition tips they use with patients to help calm eczema naturally—often before medications or supplements are needed. Instead of starting with creams or pills, Dr. Fong and Tori walk you through the foundational steps that create real change. You’ll learn how to keep an effective eczema journal to track food, skin photos, bowel movements, mood, and flares so you can finally see patterns. You’ll also uncover how processed “kid foods,” sugary drinks, and constant snacking quietly fuel gut inflammation—and how to rebuild the skin from the inside out with rainbow-colored, fiber-rich, gut-healing meals. This episode also covers hydration, daily bowel movements, toxin reduction, gentle topicals, clean water, clean air, and the simple routines that help kids sleep better and itch less. These steps are where healing begins for both kids and adults. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why journaling is step one—and exactly what to track • How processed snacks fuel inflammation and flares • What a true gut-healing, rainbow-rich plate looks like • How to use urine color to monitor hydration • Why daily movement and outdoor play support detoxification • How sleep, nervous system calm, and routine affect itch • When to avoid certain oils that worsen fungal/yeast-driven eczema • How toxins from plastics, fragrances, and cleaners impact the skin • The importance of clean water for drinking and bathing • Why indoor air quality matters for sensitive skin Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/the-eczema-doc-s-top-tips-to-start-healing-eczema-naturally?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast [https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/the-eczema-doc-s-top-tips-to-start-healing-eczema-naturally?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast] 🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm 🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com 📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit 🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Ep. 20: Eczema in Kids: 3 Hidden Root Causes Most Pediatricians Miss (and How to Heal Naturally)

In this episode, Dr. Diane Fong, ND — The Eczema Doc — and Clean Body practitioner Tori Taggart, MS, CNS, reveal why so many babies and children struggle with eczema and why symptoms often come back even after steroids, antibiotics, or prescription creams. We break down the root causes most pediatricians miss and explain how to start true healing from the inside out. In this episode, we discuss: • Why conventional eczema treatments don’t create lasting relief  • How birth factors and early microbiome disruption contribute to eczema  • The role of toxins from pregnancy, home products, food, and environment  • What “leaky skin” means and why babies’ skin barriers are naturally weaker  • Early signs to look for — and what they really mean  • The first simple steps parents can take this week to reduce flares  • How journaling, nutrition basics, cleaning products, and nervous system support make a difference  • When testing and targeted protocols become important If you’ve ever wondered why your child’s eczema isn’t improving — or what else you should be looking for — this episode gives you the clarity and direction to begin root-cause healing. Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode: https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/eczema-in-kids?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast [https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/eczema-in-kids?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast] 💙 FREE Kids’ Eczema Guide Download Dr. Fong’s free Kids’ Eczema Guide with step-by-step tips, symptom trackers, and the key questions every parent should be asking.  👉 https://www.cleanbody.health/eczematools 🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm 🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com 📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit 🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.

Ep. 19: Is Fungus Fueling Your Eczema? Malassezia, Candida, Mold, Tests & Topicals

Is your “eczema” actually being driven by fungus? In this episode, Dr. Fong and Cleanbody practitioner and expert, Tori Taggart, MS, CNS, LDN, unpack the three fungal drivers they see most in clinic—Malassezia on skin, Candida in the gut, and environmental mold—and how they overlap to create relentless flares. You’ll learn how to spot “yeast mapping,” which oils calm vs. feed Malassezia, when to test (stool, OAT, IgE/IgG, mycotoxins, skin scrapings), and smart anti-fungal nutrition swaps that don’t wreck your microbiome. What you’ll learn * Skin signs that hint “this is yeast,” not just dermatitis * Why certain oils & butters (olive, jojoba, shea, cocoa, etc.) can feed Malassezia—and safer options (MCT C8–C10, squalane) * How Candida overgrowth (post-antibiotics, stress, sugar) drives leaky gut → immune flares on skin * Mold 101: where it hides (bath, HVAC, basements), who’s more sensitive, and simple at-home screening before you hire a pro * Testing map: when to pair stool + OAT, consider serum IgE, and environmental checks * Food as medicine: anti-fungal choices (garlic, herbs, fiber, non-starchy veg) and what to pause short-term (sugars, juices/dried fruit, alcohol, kombucha/yeasty ferments) * Topicals that align with a fungal plan: kill & replenish (gentle antimicrobials + probiotic skin support) 🧪 Ready for a tailored plan? Book an Eczema Evaluation  [https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaevaluation?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast]— $47 with code AWARE (normally $97) through Oct 31. Want to explore the research behind these insights? Click this link [https://www.cleanbody.health/single-post/is-fungus-fueling-your-eczema?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast] to head to our blog for a deep dive into the studies mentioned in this episode. 🧴 Get CleanSKIN Calm (Hypochlorous Acid) — the non-steroid topical I recommend most: https://www.cleanbody.health/product-page/cleanskin-calm 🔍 Not sure what's causing YOUR eczema? Take the free 3-minute Eczema Root Cause Assessment: https://eczemaassessment.scoreapp.com 📞 Ready for a personalized plan? Book an Eczema Clarity Visit with me ($97 — credited toward any care program + 100% money-back guarantee): https://www.cleanbody.health/eczemaclarityvisit 🎙️ Join me LIVE on YouTube (@cleanbodyhealth) and Instagram (@drfong.nd) to ask your questions in real time. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider.