The Link Between Eczema And Asthma Relief

Eczema is a skin disease that covers a number of different skin ailments, from atopic dermatitis (an allergic type reaction) to dyshidrotic eczema (a blistering rash on the palms of hands and soles of the feet often caused by stress). Studies show that 50 – 70 % of all young children who develop severe eczema will go on to suffer from asthma possibly months or even years later. However, research scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered that treating eczema early can help stop the development of asthma. Their studies have shown that damaged skin secretes a substance that circulates through the body and triggers asthma symptoms. Treating the rash early is vital in asthma prevention and for those who already suffer from asthma, it could also prove beneficial for asthma relief.

Eczema is an itching rash that effects the epidermis or outer layer of the your skin. It is easily irritated and when scratched it can also become quite painful and inflamed. The rash can be mild to very severe often consisting of blisters, swelling, redness, dry flakey skin, cracking, crusting, and extreme itchiness. When the rash is scratched there is often oozing or even bleeding in more severe cases. Scratching results in worsening of the rash and therefore it is to be avoided. Doctors will often prescribe corticosteroids drugs to treat eczema. Unfortunately, these drugs are not a cure, they create dependence and have many negative side effects and they eventually weaken the adrenal gland plus cause thinning of the skin. The good news is that there are effective ways to treat eczema naturally without drugs.

Doctors and scientists suspect that there are likely two causes as to why eczema is associated with asthma. One is that an immune system disorder causes an overreaction to allergens that contact the skin and lung airways. The other may be that defective skin and airways trigger an excessive immune response.

Whatever the actual cause may be, holistic medicine has shown that boosting the immune system and the adrenal glands through proper diet, vitamins, adequate rest and exercise is paramount. There are also many herbal creams and natural treatments that help calm the rash, offer relief from itching and also prevent the sufferer from scratching. In this way they are very helpful in slowing the cycle of eczema to prevent the damaged skin secreting the substance that triggers asthma symptoms.