Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEczema–Asthma LinkHow They InteractTreatmentLifestyle ChangesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Eczema–Asthma Link
How They Interact
Treatment
Lifestyle Changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Eczema and Asthma: The Link
The exact causes of both eczema and asthma are not known. However, both conditions lead to excess inflammation in your body.
Eczema is a group of skin conditions that cause redness, pain, itching, oozing, swelling, and crusted patches in the affected areas. Symptoms come and go, depending on your triggers. Although eczema is uncomfortable, it is not life-threatening.
An Overview of the 7 Types of Eczema
Asthmais a chronic disease that affects the lungs. When you are exposed to triggers such as pollens, dust mites, or molds, your airways become inflamed and swollen, making it difficult to breathe.Symptoms include coughing, increased mucus production, chest tightness, faster breathing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening.
The Atopic March
Not everyone with eczema or asthma will develop the other condition. However, people with more severe cases of eczema are more likely to have asthma, and vice versa. If a child has both conditions, it’s also more likely that they will continue to have symptoms as an adult.
How Allergies, Asthma, and Eczema Interact
Eczema flare-ups, asthmas attacks, and allergic reactions can all occur at the same time when you are exposed to a trigger. Triggers cause your immune system to overreact to a substance that it views as foreign. Each person’s triggers are different, but there are several types that can cause both your eczema and asthma symptoms to increase, including:
Managing and Treating Inflammation
While there’s no cure for eczema or asthma, there are several ways symptoms can be managed.
Prescription medications are often required to successfully treat symptoms of eczema and asthma. Common asthma treatments include:
Asthma Inhalers: Choosing the Right Inhaler for Your Symptoms
Eczema is also treated with prescription medications. These can include:
While you can’t always prevent eczema flare-ups or asthma attacks, there are lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of experiencing uncomfortable symptoms.
A Word From Verywell
Living with more than one inflammatory condition can feel overwhelming, but worrying about your health can make your symptoms worse. Establish a good skin-care routine, avoid your triggers, and take advantage of resources, such as support groups, to improve your quality of life.
Eczema doesn’t directly cause respiratory problems, but many people with this condition also have allergies and/or asthma that can affect your breathing.
Eczema is a group of skin conditions not related to your lungs.
While asthma is not considered to be an autoimmune disease, some types of eczema do fall into this category.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Society.Conditions related to eczema.American Lung Association.Learn about asthma.Hill DA, Spergel JM.The atopic march: critical evidence and clinical relevance. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 120(2):131-137. Doi:10.1016%2Fj.anai.2017.10.037Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What causes or triggers asthma?National Eczema Association.Eczema and emotional wellness.National Eczema Assocation.Over the counter.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma medications and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Prescription topicals.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis) treatment.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Society.Conditions related to eczema.American Lung Association.Learn about asthma.Hill DA, Spergel JM.The atopic march: critical evidence and clinical relevance. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 120(2):131-137. Doi:10.1016%2Fj.anai.2017.10.037Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What causes or triggers asthma?National Eczema Association.Eczema and emotional wellness.National Eczema Assocation.Over the counter.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma medications and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Prescription topicals.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis) treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Eczema Society.Conditions related to eczema.American Lung Association.Learn about asthma.Hill DA, Spergel JM.The atopic march: critical evidence and clinical relevance. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 120(2):131-137. Doi:10.1016%2Fj.anai.2017.10.037Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What causes or triggers asthma?National Eczema Association.Eczema and emotional wellness.National Eczema Assocation.Over the counter.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma medications and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.National Eczema Association.Prescription topicals.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis) treatment.
National Eczema Society.Conditions related to eczema.
American Lung Association.Learn about asthma.
Hill DA, Spergel JM.The atopic march: critical evidence and clinical relevance. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 120(2):131-137. Doi:10.1016%2Fj.anai.2017.10.037
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What causes or triggers asthma?
National Eczema Association.Eczema and emotional wellness.
National Eczema Assocation.Over the counter.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma medications and treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis diagnosis and treatment.
National Eczema Association.Prescription topicals.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis) treatment.
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