Another reason Why Kids get eczema.

Another reason Why Kids get eczema

Wow this is new research will shows new reasons why kids get eczema. Before we see these results let us see what is all about eczema.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is a chronic skin condition in which the skin becomes itchy, reddened, cracked and dry. Approximately 30% of all skin-related GP visits in Western Europe result in a diagnosis of atopic eczema. It affects both males and females equally, as well as people from different ethnic backgrounds. Most GPs (general practitioners, primary care physicians) in Western Europe, North America and Australia say the number of people diagnosed each year with eczema is has been rising in recent years.

Atopy is the hereditary predisposition toward developing some hypersensitivity reactions, such as hay fever, asthma, chronic urticaria, and some types of eczema. Atopic eczema, therefore, means a form of eczema characterized by atopy - in other words, inherited eczema.

Approximately 80% of atopic eczema cases start before the age of 5, and a sizeable number develops it during their first year of life.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

As atopic eczema is a chronic disease symptoms are generally present all the time. A chronic disease is a long-term one; one that persists for a long time. However, during a flare-up symptoms will worsen and the patient will probably require more intense treatment.

Below are some common symptoms of atopic eczema (without flare-up):

The skin may be broken in places.

Some areas of the skin are cracked.

The skin usually feels dry.

Many areas of skin are itchy, and sometimes raw if scratched a lot.

Itching usually worse at night.

Scratching may also result in areas of thickened skin.

Some areas of skin become red and inflamed.

Some inflamed areas develop blisters and weep (ooze liquid).

The skin has red to brownish-gray colored patches.

Areas of skin may have small, raised bumps.

What Causes Eczema?

Experts say that people with eczema are born with it - it is a genetically inherited condition. It can be worsened with exposure to external or environmental factors such as pollen or pet fur, and internal factors such as hormone levels and stress. In 2006, scientists from the University of Dundee, with collaborators in Dublin, Glasgow, Seattle and Copenhagen, discovered the gene that causes dry, scaly skin and predisposes individuals to eczema. 

In 2009 a study carried out by scientists at the University of Edinburgh concluded that the defects in a particular gene known as the filaggrin gene are linked to a considerably amplified risk of developing allergic disorders such as eczema, rhinitis, and asthma.

The oily (lipid) barrier of skin is usually reduced in people with atopic eczema, compared to other people. The lipid barrier helps prevent water loss. If your barrier is reduced you will lose water faster and your skin will be drier. Several studies have been confirming this, including this one.

The immune system cells of people with atopic eczema release chemicals under the skin's surface which may cause inflammation. Experts are not 100% sure why this happens. They just know that it is an immune system overreaction.

Even though scientists are fairly sure genetics are the primary cause, they do not yet know what the exact genetic cause is. The above-mentioned studies are giving us a better idea - but a great deal of further research is needed. 60% of children with atopic eczema have one parent with the same condition. Studies have shown that children run an 80% risk of developing eczema if both their parents have the condition.

Recent studies are starting to reveal a picture of early life lifestyle habits that may reduce the risk of developing eczema later on, either during early childhood or later on in life. An infant diet that includes fish before the age of 9 months curbs the risk of developing eczema, a Swedish study reported.

New Research- Eczema Linked To Gut Bacteria In Kids

Kids who have eczema have a more diverse set of bacteria in their guts than kids who do not have the condition. The finding came from new research conducted by a team of experts from the University of Turku, Finland, and was published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Microbiology.

The scientists discovered that the types of bacteria existing in the guts of the children with eczema were more typical of adult gut microbes than for infants without eczema. Eczema is described as a persistent inflammation of the epidermis; it can also be referred to as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema (the most common form of eczema). A recent study found that kids are more likely to develop eczema if they eat fast food 3 or more times a week. People affected by the condition may develop itchy, reddened, cracked, and dry skin. Previous research demonstrated that giving baths of diluted beach regularly to children with chronic, severe eczema helps reduce the severity of the condition in cases with secondary bacterial infection. For the purpose of the study, the team of researchers observed children with eczema and those without eczema when they were six and 18 months old. The experts wanted to compare their gut bacteria.

Results showed that all the infants had the same types of bacteria at six months. However, at 18 months, the toddlers with eczema had more of a type of bacteria, known as Clostridium clusters IV and XIVa, which is usually linked to adults. The kids who were not affected by eczema had higher quantities of Bacteroidetes. Lotta Nylund, MSc, from University of Turku, Finland, explained, The composition of bacteria in a child's gut depends on its environment and the food it eats. You would expect that as a child's diet changes so will the bacteria present. The number of bifidobacteria naturally falls with age and in total we found 21 groups of bacteria which changed in this time period. However it is the early change towards adult-type bacteria which seems to be a risk factor for eczema.

(Source- Open Access Journal BMC Microbiology)