Probiotics are live micro-organisms that provide a health benefit to the host. The role of probiotics in the management of disease, as well as immune modification, has recently experienced a renewed interest in society, as probiotics can be found in products ranging from yogurt to facial creams. In this article, we discuss the role of probiotics in the development of the immune system, the treatment of acne and rosacea, and protection against aging and photodamage.

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Pyogenic granulomas are benign vascular tumors characterized histologically by a lobular proliferation of capillaries. We report an unusual presentation of a pyogenic granuloma in an elderly patient with a bleeding red nodule on the plantar surface of the foot. Nodular exophytic plantar foot lesions often present a diagnostic challenge, as the differential diagnosis includes benign and malignant entities ranging from eccrine poroma and pyogenic granuloma to Kaposi's sarcoma and amelanotic melanoma. This case highlights the need for an adequate biopsy technique to confirm the diagnosis and guide management.

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With more than 500 bacterial species living on the skin expressing more than 2 million genes, the skin micro biota presents a delicate balance between pathogenic and commensal bacteria. Given that dysbiosis of the mircroflora can lead to pro-inflammatory states (1), precipitating conditions such as acne and rapid photoaging, treatment modalities to shift the spectrum toward commensal flora continue.