Childhood eczema increases chance of asthma

William Atkins
Monday, 07 July 2008 22:57

Science - Health

Burgess states, "The results of our study showed childhood eczema clearly preceded asthma in each later stage of life - later childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.” [Australian.news.com.au: “Eczema kids become asthmatic adults”]
 
The researchers state that their research lends credence to the currently accepted theory that eczema is often the first step that eventually leads to other related conditions, like hay fever and asthma.

Australian.com states, “People who had childhood eczema were more likely to develop childhood asthma, new-onset asthma later in life or to have asthma which persisted from childhood into middle age, said lead author John Burgess, a population health specialist at the University of Melbourne.” [Australian.news.com.au]

Burgess stated, “The incidence of asthma in people from the ages of eight to 44 who had childhood eczema, was nearly double that of people who had never had eczema. This suggests that the lifetime risk from childhood eczema may be greater than previously realised." [Australian.news.com.au]

Consequently, the study suggests that the “aggressive treatment of childhood eczema may be an important step in preventing asthma.” [Australian.news.com.au]