So Called 'Friends' of the Itch – Conditions That Appear With Eczema
Posted by Kelly Northey on 7th Apr 2014
As if eczema wasn’t bad enough, it turns out that many other issues tend to appear in the same people who deal with it on a daily basis. When two illnesses show up together, there’s often a way in which they’re related. Either they share the same root cause or one of the issues causes the other one to appear. Eczema, like many illnesses that affect the immune system, is interesting because it has a very specific set of other issues that tend to show up when it does. Today we’re going to look at 3 common side issues to eczema, and explore how treating one could lead to relief from the other.
Asthma
One of the most common side illnesses to eczema is asthma. Research shows that up to 70% of kids who have been diagnosed with eczema (atopic dermatitis) and up dealing with asthma as well. This number is staggering – and it’s a cause for alarm for many parents.
The link between asthma and eczema is just being clarified, but here’s what we know. There’s a substance called TSLP that gets secreted naturally by the body as an effect of the damage that eczema does. When this compound shows up in large enough numbers, it acts on the immune system causing asthma symptoms in the lungs and airways. Researchers have known about the presence of TSLP in asthmatics for a while, but the production of this compound as part of eczema is a new finding.
We now know that helping prevent skin damage and eczema flare ups could be enough to keep asthma at bay when they show up together. Since damaged skin produces TSLP, managing eczema so that intense flare ups are avoided could prevent this material from being produced in the first place.
Seasonal Allergies
Dust, mold, pollen, ragweed, hayfever, and other seasonal allergens seem to pick on kids with eczema. Since atopic dermatitis wears down the immune system by causing lots of over-reaction, it’s no surprise that common allergens can trigger a full blown allergic attack in kids with eczema issues.
The immune system and the way that eczema influences it seem to be at the root of increased allergies. The better the immune system is able to handle itself, the less allergic attacks happen. In this case, treating the immune system directly with good food, gentle exercise, immune balancing supplements, and stress management could all play a role in strengthening the body’s response to eczema and seasonal allergy triggers.
ADD And ADHD
Recent research has shown that over 5% of kids with eczema also exhibit signs of ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has been known to show up more often in kids with allergies, but its connection to eczema specifically is a relatively new finding.
Like allergies and asthma, chances are that the immune system, adrenal glands, and other stress-response functions of the body have something to do with ADHD showing up. A taxed, tired, and stressed out body leads to adrenal issues, not enough deep sleep, and overcompensation which could manifest in behavioral patterns. Most parents thus far who deal with the eczema and ADD combination have found that a clean diet helps the most. Staying away from foods rich in stimulants, sugars, artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives could be really helpful in the fight against the itch and hyperactivity.
Resources:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/18/healthmag.eczema.adhd/index.html?eref=rss_latest