Health Research Stuff
I have long thought heavy skin sloughing was "a CF thing" but had no idea why. Now I know why: It's an immune thing.
(Insert "I told ya so! The skin is too part of the immune system!")
Recent emails from my son:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desquamation
A technical term for skin shedding, which is a deliberate immune system function to remove bacteria and whatnot. (ie when we shed skin heavily, this is probably dumping infected elements)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_flora
Says Pseudomonas makes stuff that fights Strep and fungus. Also says alkaline skin makes bacteria struggle to stay on skin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basophil
Suppressed by herpes virus (eg fever blisters), important in allergic responses and anti-parasite responses. Uses tools dangerous to your own tissues.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eosinophil
Also fights multicellular parasites, also bad about friendly fire. Sounds like it's basically a suicide bomber? Asthma leads to high counts, as does assorted parasitic infections.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkholderia_cenocepacia
Another germ that typically forms biofilms in CF patients... and infects plants, including bananas and onions. Prefers low-oxygen environments. REALLY wants iron. Makes it easier for other bacteria to move in the lungs. Gets used in 'bio-organic' fertilizers, apparently.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_A
Important to immune function... destroyed by strep. Commonly found in mucus of all sorts, including sweat, tears, and saliva. (Notably found in lung epithelial cells) Yet to find a clear explanation of actual function.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_E
Also important to immune system, protects against assorted parasites like tapeworms, plus venom (proven with bee stings), plus possibly cancers. Controls allergic response: the primary instigator of anaphylactic shock.
(Insert "I told ya so! The skin is too part of the immune system!")
Recent emails from my son:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desquamation
A technical term for skin shedding, which is a deliberate immune system function to remove bacteria and whatnot. (ie when we shed skin heavily, this is probably dumping infected elements)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_flora
Says Pseudomonas makes stuff that fights Strep and fungus. Also says alkaline skin makes bacteria struggle to stay on skin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basophil
Suppressed by herpes virus (eg fever blisters), important in allergic responses and anti-parasite responses. Uses tools dangerous to your own tissues.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eosinophil
Also fights multicellular parasites, also bad about friendly fire. Sounds like it's basically a suicide bomber? Asthma leads to high counts, as does assorted parasitic infections.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkholderia_cenocepacia
Another germ that typically forms biofilms in CF patients... and infects plants, including bananas and onions. Prefers low-oxygen environments. REALLY wants iron. Makes it easier for other bacteria to move in the lungs. Gets used in 'bio-organic' fertilizers, apparently.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_A
Important to immune function... destroyed by strep. Commonly found in mucus of all sorts, including sweat, tears, and saliva. (Notably found in lung epithelial cells) Yet to find a clear explanation of actual function.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_E
Also important to immune system, protects against assorted parasites like tapeworms, plus venom (proven with bee stings), plus possibly cancers. Controls allergic response: the primary instigator of anaphylactic shock.
