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Eczema and Asthma in Frisco Kids: Is There a Connection?

Eczema and asthma often occur together in kids.

If your child has eczema and you live in Frisco, Texas, you may be wondering if asthma could develop. As a pediatrician serving the Frisco area, we frequently see the link between these conditions.

Here’s what you should know about eczema, asthma, and the connection between them.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition marked by dry, itchy rashes. It’s also called atopic dermatitis. Eczema usually starts in infancy and can persist into the teen years before improving. Outbreaks result in red, inflamed patches that can ooze and crust over when scratched.

Eczema rashes most often occur on the cheeks, insides of elbows and knees, hands, feet, and back of the neck. But eczema can appear anywhere on the body, causing extreme itchiness, especially at night.

While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, it appears tied to overactivity of the immune system and genetics. Kids with a family history are more prone to eczema. Environmental factors like weather, irritants, and allergies also play a role in eczema flares.

There’s no cure for eczema, but symptoms can be managed with moisturizers, steroid creams, allergy treatments, bathing habits, and avoiding triggers. Preventing itching and clearing up rashes helps prevent infection.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease causing inflamed and constricted airways. During an asthma flare or attack, the airways swell and fill with mucus, making breathing difficult. Kids may have symptoms like coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath.

Like eczema, asthma is driven by immune system overreactions as well as genetic and environmental factors. Viral infections, cigarette smoke, pollution, and allergies can all trigger asthma episodes in susceptible kids.

While asthma has no cure, daily preventive inhalers help control inflammation to prevent attacks. Fast-acting inhalers provide quick relief when symptoms flare up. Identifying and avoiding triggers is also key.

Asthma often starts in early childhood and is one of the most common long-term childhood illnesses in the United States. There are currently about 4.5 million children under 18 with asthma.

The Eczema-Asthma Connection

Numerous studies have established a link between eczema and asthma as “atopic diseases.” Up to 80% of kids with severe eczema develop asthma. And 65% of asthmatic kids have a history of eczema.

This eczema-asthma connection exists because both diseases share underlying causes:

  • Genetic links– Mutations in genes regulating the immune system increase risks of both eczema and asthma. Children whose parents have either condition are more likely to develop both.
  • Immune system abnormalities– Defects in the immune barrier of the skin and lungs contribute to inflammation in eczema and asthma.
  • Allergic components– Environmental allergies play a large role in eczema and asthma flares. Many kids have both conditions.
  • Sensitive skin and airways– Kids with eczema have skin that is easily irritated. Their respiratory tracts are often overly sensitive as well, setting the stage for asthma.

Eczema as a Risk Factor for Asthma

Multiple studies have shown eczema often precedes asthma, especially in children. About two-thirds of kids diagnosed with eczema before age 2 may develop asthma by school age.

Eczema appears to be a risk factor for future asthma for several reasons:

  • It indicates a hypersensitive immune system prone to overreacting to triggers.
  • It suggests skin barrier defects that allow allergens to enter the body and cause system-wide inflammation.
  • It flags genetic mutations that make developing asthma more likely.
  • It unleashes immune chemicals called cytokines that can promote inflammation in the lungs.

In children with eczema, the immune system and inflammatory pathways are primed for asthma development by eczema’s influence. Taking steps to prevent eczema may help reduce asthma risk.

Reducing Asthma Risks in Eczema-Prone Frisco Kids

If your child has eczema, discuss with your pediatrician steps to minimize asthma risks, including:

  • Allergy testing– Identifying specific environmental allergy triggers for your child allows avoidance and treatment.
  • Moisturizing diligently– Preventing eczema flare-ups and keeping skin hydrated and intact helps maintain immune barriers.
  • Avoiding irritants and chemicals– Steer clear of things that aggravate your child’s sensitive skin and respiratory system.
  • Medications– Anti-inflammatory creams, oral antihistamines, and other medications may dampen immune system overactivity.
  • Immunotherapy– Allergy shots help desensitize the immune response to known asthma and eczema triggers.
  • Monitoring lung function– Track coughing, breathing issues, and lung changes early before asthma worsens.

By controlling eczema and reducing inflammation, you can potentially prevent or delay asthma’s onset in your child.

Trusted Frisco Pediatricians Care for Eczema and Asthma

At Entirely Kids Pediatrics, we have extensive experience caring for Frisco-area children with eczema, asthma, and allergies. We understand this complex relationship and work to minimize risks.

Our board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Danielle Leung, can develop customized treatment plans to control eczema and asthma together. We partner with families to improve children’s health through every stage of growth and development.

Get Answers for Your Child’s Eczema and Asthma

Entirely Kids Pediatrics, with its commitment to pediatric care, offers comprehensive evaluations and treatments for children suffering from eczema, asthma, and related allergies. Our approach includes allergy testing and identifying triggers, aiming to manage these conditions effectively.

For personalized care plans addressing both eczema and asthma, we encourage scheduling an appointment to explore treatment options that cater to each child’s unique needs, ensuring better health and quality of life.

Contact us at 469-425-3600 to get answers about the relationship between these conditions. Don’t let eczema and asthma disrupt your child’s health and quality of life.