Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Eczema, Allergies, and Asthma, Pediatric
Eczema, Allergies, and Asthma, Pediatric
Eczema, allergies, and asthma are common in children. These conditions tend to be passed along from parent to child (inherited). These conditions often occur when the body’s disease-fighting system, or immune system, responds to certain harmless substances as though they were harmful germs (allergic reaction). These substances could be things that your child breathes in, touches, or eats. The immune system creates proteins (antibodies) to fight the germs, which causes your child’s symptoms. In other cases, symptoms may be the result of your child’s immune system attacking tissues in his or her own body. This is called an autoimmune reaction.
An early diagnosis can help your child manage symptoms. It is important to get your child tested for allergies and asthma, especially if your child has eczema. Follow specific instructions from your child’s health care provider about managing and treating your child’s conditions.
What is the atopic triad?
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Your child’s genes.
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Your child breathing in allergens in the air.
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Your child getting sick with certain infections at a very young age.
Eczema is often worse during the winter months due to frequent exposure to heated air. It may also be worse during times of stress.
How can the atopic triad affect my child?
These conditions can affect your child’s skin, ears, nose, throat, stomach, or lungs.
Eczema
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Dry, scaly skin.
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Red rash.
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Itchiness. This causes scratching, which may result in skin infections or thickening of the skin.
Allergies
Your child may develop allergies to certain foods or things in the environment, such as dust, pollen, air pollutants, animal dander, or mold.
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A stuffy or runny nose (nasal congestion) or itchy, watery eyes.
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Itchy, tingling mouth, throat, and ears.
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Coughing and sneezing.
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Itchy, red rash.
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Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
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Sore throat, headache, or frequent ear infections.
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Swelling of the back of the mouth, throat, lips, face, and tongue.
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Wheezing and hoarse voice.
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Itchy, red, swollen areas of skin (hives).
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Dizziness or light-headedness.
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Fainting.
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Trouble breathing, speaking, or swallowing.
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Chest tightness or rapid heartbeat.
Asthma
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Coughing. Severe coughing may occur with a common cold.
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Chest tightness.
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Wheezing.
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
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Difficulty talking in complete sentences during an asthma flare.
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Lower respiratory infections, like bronchitis or pneumonia, that keep coming back (recurring).
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Poor exercise tolerance.
What actions can I take to treat my child’s conditions?
To treat eczema:
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Treat your child’s itchiness by using over-the-counter or prescription anti-itch creams or medicines.
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Prevent scratching. It can be difficult to keep very young children from scratching, especially at night when itchiness tends to be worse.
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Your child’s health care provider may recommend having your child wear mittens or socks on his or her hands at night and when itchiness is worst. This helps prevent skin damage and possible infection.
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Bathe your child in water that is warm, not hot. If possible, avoid bathing your child every day.
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Keep the skin moisturized by using over-the-counter or prescription thick cream or ointment immediately after bathing.
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Avoid allergens and things that irritate the skin, such as fragrances.
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Help your child maintain low levels of stress.
To treat allergies:
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Avoid allergens.
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Give medicines to block an allergic reaction and inflammation. These may include antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, inhalers, and epinephrine.
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Have your child get allergy shots (immunotherapy) to decrease or eliminate allergies over time.
To treat asthma:
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Identifying and avoiding asthma triggers.
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Taking medicines as directed by your child’s health care provider. Medicines may include:
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Controller medicines. These help prevent asthma symptoms from occurring. They are usually taken every day.
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Fast-acting reliever or rescue medicines. These quickly relieve asthma symptoms. They are used as needed and they provide short-term relief.
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What other actions can I take to manage my child’s conditions?
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Teach your child about his or her condition. Make sure that your child knows what he or she is allergic to.
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Help your child avoid allergens and things that trigger or worsen symptoms.
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Follow your child’s treatment plan if he or she has an asthma or allergy emergency.
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Make sure that anyone who cares for your child knows about your child’s triggers and knows how to treat your child in case of emergency. This may include teachers, school administrators, child care providers, family members, and friends.
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Make sure that people at your child’s school know to help your child avoid allergens and things that irritate or worsen symptoms.
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Give instructions to your child’s school for what to do if your child needs emergency treatment.
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Make sure that your child always has medicines available at school.
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Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.
Where to find more information
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Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: www.aafa.org
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American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: acaai.org
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Allergy and Asthma Network: allergyasthmanetwork.org
Summary
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Eczema, allergies, and asthma are common in children. Symptoms of these conditions can affect your child’s skin, ears, nose, throat, stomach, or lungs.
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Follow specific instructions from your child’s health care provider about managing and treating your child’s conditions.
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Teach your child about his or her condition. Make sure that your child knows what he or she is allergic to.
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Make sure that anyone who cares for your child knows about your child’s triggers and knows how to treat your child in case of emergency.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
