7 conditions a child with eczema more likely to develop
Children who have the most common type of eczema, atopic dermatitis, frequently develop related health conditions. While you may have seen information about many health conditions, dermatologists and other researchers have found an association between having atopic dermatitis and these 7 conditions:
If your child has atopic dermatitis, the likelihood of developing one or more of these conditions rises. However, it doesn’t mean that your child will develop another condition. It also doesn’t mean that atopic dermatitis causes any of these conditions or that any of these conditions cause atopic dermatitis.
Since there is a greater likelihood of developing these 7 conditions, it helps to be aware of the symptoms for each. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent these conditions from worsening.
Here’s what dermatologists recommend that parents and caregivers look for:
Food allergy
This is an allergic reaction that occurs when your child eats or drinks a certain food. It usually happens minutes to a few hours after eating or drinking the food.
Symptoms of a food allergy can include stomach cramps or pain.
Signs and symptoms of a food allergy: These include a rash, hives (ringlike patches on the skin that can be flat or bumpy and tend to itch), flushing, bloating, stomach cramps or pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stuffy nose, itching in the nose or throat, coughing, wheezing, swelling of the lips or face, shortness of breath, or feeling faint or dizzy.
Seek immediate medical care: If your child develops any of the following, get immediate medical care:
Trouble breathing or swallowing
Swelling on the face or lips
A faint or dizzy feeling
A rash that covers most of the face or another area of the body
What the studies show: Children with atopic dermatitis may have higher odds of being diagnosed with a food allergy.
What to tell dermatologist: If your child has any symptoms of food allergy, let your dermatologist or pediatrician know, so your child can be referred to appropriate medical care.
Eliminating allergens (what causes an allergic reaction) will not clear your child’s skin or alleviate symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
Elimination diets are not recommended: If you suspect that your child has a food allergy, it can be tempting to eliminate all foods that commonly cause food allergies, such as cow’s milk, eggs, nuts, soy, and wheat. Keep in mind that these foods provide essential nutrition for a growing child. Growth problems and other issues can develop when a child doesn’t consume necessary nutrients.
For this reason, an accurate diagnosis of a food allergy is essential. This allows you to manage your child’s allergy without eliminating foods unnecessarily from their diet.
Before getting an accurate diagnosis, a food should only be eliminated if you notice that your child has a serious reaction or a reaction to a certain food every time.
Hay fever
This is a common allergic reaction to airborne particles. Pollen is a common cause when your child is outdoors. Indoors, dust mites, pet dander, and mold are common causes of hay fever.
Pollen is a common cause of hay fever in children, and hay fever due to pollen typically begins around 5 years of age.
Signs and symptoms: Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy-watery eyes, and postnasal drip are common.
What the studies show: Children with atopic dermatitis have a higher risk of developing hay fever than children who do not have atopic dermatitis.
What to tell dermatologist: If you notice that your child has any symptoms of hay fever, let your child’s dermatologist know so that your child can be referred to appropriate medical care. Your child may not have symptoms during an appointment.
Asthma
This condition occurs when a person’s airway narrows, making it difficult to breathe.
An early diagnosis and proper treatment of asthma can prevent changes that affect how well your child can breathe.
