The Correlation between Eczema and Asthma

There are some similarities from a common dry skin condition and asthma. Both are allergy related and show some correlation. There has been scientific studies conducted that have found the genes for asthma and eczema. Studies concluded that asthma is a form of the gene that causes eczema, a dry skin condition. Both conditions are similar because they are caused by some type of allergic reaction. You may notice that your child has both eczema and asthma, or you may have suffered from both at one time or another. Because they are both genetic conditions, it is likely that if you had one or both conditions, your children will have one or both as well.

Allergic reactions can take on multiple forms including external and internal reactions. Eczema is caused by a number of different factors, and allergies are one of those factors. Asthma is also an allergic reaction that takes place in the lungs. Most children usually develop eczema first, and then years later can show asthmatic symptoms. The transition from having eczema and then asthma is called the atopic march. Having a dry skin condition is more common than having asthma, and if you treat eczema as it occurs you lessen the chance of having the atopic march.

Recent studies have found the reason for a correlation between the two conditions and an explanation for the atopic march. The dry skin condition can cause a rash, flaky skin, itching, and secretion from the skin. As this happens, the brain relays a message to your body that your skin is ineffective. Your skin is the protective layer and having this condition doesn't fully protect as it should. The secretion, called TSLP, is passed through your blood system and your skin. As it passes through your blood stream, it gets to your lungs which cause asthma. Having an asthma attack is your body's immune system trying to kick into gear.

Treating eczema properly and while you are experiencing irritating skin reactions could prevent you or your child from developing asthma. The skin condition is best treated with organic products that don't use harsh chemicals or synthetic ingredients that medial prescriptions could have in them. The best defense against severely dry skin is eating properly, drinking lots of water, and keeping your skin moisturized with eczema oil, lotions, or other types or eczema moisturizers. Organic ingredients such as kukui nut oil, premium emu oil, and jojoba oil are rich in vitamin E. This vitamin acts as a moisturizing agent for your skin and is great for your health. Using moisturizers could help to prevent the development of asthma if someone already didn't have it.