The Hidden Connection Between Asthma, Allergies, And Eczema

You might not think Asthma, allergies, and eczema have much in common. After all, they seem to affect different body parts and have other symptoms. Sure, Asthma and allergic rhinitis may be connected, but how about eczema? Several findings show that these diseases share a lot, including a link to the immune system. Keep reading to learn more about this hidden connection.

What Is Eczema And Its Symptoms?

Eczema is a skin problem that causes the skin to become red and itchy. Eczema can be incredibly uncomfortable and lead to secondary infections if the skin becomes cracked and open. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It tends to run across generations, especially if the family history has a record of eczema or other chronic skin problems.

What Is Asthma And Its Symptoms?

Asthma is a chronic lung problem that makes it difficult to breathe. People with asthma often have wheezing attacks triggered by exercise, dust irritants, or cold air.

Asthma can inflame and narrow the airways. While Asthma can appear at any age, it most often begins in childhood. Symptoms of developing Asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Triggers can be anything, including exercise, dust irritants, or cold air, especially regarding allergic asthma.

Asthma is manageable with medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. However, some people with Asthma also require emergency care.

What’s The Relationship Between Asthma, Eczema, and Other Skin Problems

Fig. 1. Asthma and eczema result from a faulty immune system.

Eczema is a chronic inflammation resulting in dry and itchy skin. And psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin problem resulting in red, scaly patches in the affected area. At the same time, Asthma is a lung problem that results in wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. All these are autoimmune diseases caused by the body’s immune system attacking healthy cells.

The link between eczema and Asthma is due to a faulty immune system. People with eczema have a higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases, such as allergies, Asthma, and hay fever. The immune system overreacts to harmless environmental substances, causing inflammation. This inflammation can lead to the development of other diseases.

Eczema is often the first sign that a person has a problem with their immune system. Unfortunately, around half of all children with eczema will develop another allergic condition later in life. Therefore, if you have eczema, you must be aware of the signs and symptoms of other allergic diseases to get treatment early if necessary.

The Atopic March

Autoimmune diseases are mistakenly unrelated to each other. However, there is a hidden connection between eczema, Asthma, and other autoimmune diseases. This connection is called the atopic march. The atopic march progresses from atopic dermatitis to Asthma and other allergic diseases. Studies show that children with atopic dermatitis or another eczema will develop Asthma or another allergic disease like allergic rhinitis.

The term “atopic march” was first coined in the 1980s by Hanifin and Rajka. They observed that patients with atopic eczema often develop other allergic diseases, such as Asthma or hay fever. Studies have confirmed their observations and shown that the atopic march is a natural phenomenon.

The atopic march usually starts with eczema in infancy or early childhood, followed by allergic symptoms when eating certain types of food, and then asthma or hay fever later in childhood or adolescence. Others may not develop diseases in the atopic triad but develop severe eczema as adults. The order in which these diseases develop may vary from person to person.

The cause of the atopic march is not fully understood but due to changes in the immune system. In people with severe atopic dermatitis, the skin barrier is damaged, which allows allergens and irritants to enter the body and trigger an immune response. Over time, this repeated exposure to allergens sensitizes the immune system and causes it to overreact to harmless substances like dust or pollen. This overreaction manifests as Asthma or hay fever. 

What Are The Treatments For Both Eczema And Asthma? Can They Be Prevented From Developing?

Fig. 2. Eczema and asthma symptoms are manageable.

There is no cure for either eczema or Asthma, but there are treatments that can help ease symptoms and prevent flare-ups. For both conditions, avoiding triggers is vital. If you know that certain environmental factors worsen your symptoms, you must avoid them as much as possible.

Medications are also available to help control both conditions. For example, corticosteroid creams or ointments can be applied directly to the skin to reduce inflammation. In addition, prescribed Oral antipruritic medications are to relieve itching. For more severe cases of eczema, systemic medications — such as immunosuppressants — may be necessary.

Asthma medications fall into two main categories: bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories. Bronchodilators function by relaxing the airway muscles to make it easier to breathe. Anti-inflammatories help to reduce swelling and irritation in the airways.

There are also many alternative therapies available for both conditions. For example, some people relieve symptoms by using probiotics or omega-3 fatty acids. Others find acupuncture helpful. The best way to find out what works for you is to talk with your doctor about your options.

What Is Still Unknown About These Conditions?

While we know a link between eczema, psoriasis, and Asthma, we still need to learn more about this connection. For example, we have yet to determine why some people develop chronic inflammatory diseases while others do not. We also need to find out why certain people develop more than one chronic inflammatory disease. More research is required to understand the link between these conditions fully.

Natural Remedies That Can Help With Eczema Or Asthma

Fig. 3. Staying hydrated can lower the chance of triggering Asthma or eczema.

Are there any natural remedies that can help with eczema or Asthma, or do you typically rely on prescription medications? The good news is that there are simple tips you can follow to manage eczema or asthma attacks better.

1. Avoid known triggers.

If you know that certain things trigger your eczema or asthma symptoms, do your best to avoid them. It may mean keeping your home clean and dust-free, avoiding pets or other animals, avoiding moldy or damp places, and steering clear of solid smells like perfume or smoke. 

2. Manage stress levels.

Stress can worsen eczema and asthma symptoms, so it’s crucial to find ways to manage stress. Yoga, meditation, and regular exercise are all great ways to keep stress levels in check.

3. Stay hydrated.

Drinking plenty of water helps to keep skin hydrated and can help reduce the severity of eczema flare-ups. It also thin mucus secretions, making them easier to expel and helping to prevent respiratory infections—which can trigger asthma attacks. 

4. Eat a healthy diet.

A healthy diet is essential for both overall health and skin health. Including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein in your diet can help restore the balance in your body and reduce the onset of symptoms. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines, as well as in flaxseed oil, chia seeds, and walnuts, are particularly beneficial for skin health and respiratory health.

Medovie – Your Natural Option For Managing Eczema

The good news is that there are natural ways to manage chronic inflammation. Medovie is one such option. Medovie is a company that specializes in natural products for managing eczema, psoriasis, and other chronic skin diseases. The company’s 3HX™ formula has proven effective in reducing inflammation and promoting healthy cell production. So if you’re looking for a natural option for managing your eczema or Asthma, Medovie may be worth considering.

Our ground-breaking 3HX™ formula has shown astounding benefits to the skin by supporting healthy cell production inside and out. In addition, the complex process, which took a decade to perfect, allows for extracting the active ingredients within the herbs clinically tested to provide long-lasting relief for those with restless skin problems.

Check out our products or book a consultation with our skincare experts to see how Medovie can help you with your problem.