Wednesday, October 18, 2006
New Theories On The Cause Of Eczema
Contrary to popular belief, eczema is not caused by an allergy and has a big genetic component, new research shows. The painful condition, often lumped with allergies, hay fever and asthma as being the result of an overactive immune system, is caused by cracks in the skin that allow irritants such as soap to get in.
A report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found two-thirds of asthma patients who had eczema had a form that was triggered by something other than an allergic reaction.
“If a child has skin that is a bit fragile and then spends hours being washed with bubble bath and shampoo, sitting in an air-conditioned room and wearing synthetic clothing it is very likely they will develop eczema,” Perth dermatologist Kurt Gebauer said.
The West Australian
A report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found two-thirds of asthma patients who had eczema had a form that was triggered by something other than an allergic reaction.
“If a child has skin that is a bit fragile and then spends hours being washed with bubble bath and shampoo, sitting in an air-conditioned room and wearing synthetic clothing it is very likely they will develop eczema,” Perth dermatologist Kurt Gebauer said.
The West Australian
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