Some Frequently Asked Questions on Children Eczema

WHAT IS THE RISK OF MY CHILD DEVELOPING ASTHMA?
There is a risk. Children with eczema have a three-fold increased risk of developing asthma
compared to other children. This should not cause undue anxiety. In most cases the asthma is mild
and easily controlled with appropriate treatment. It is only in the minority that asthma is
troublesome.

WHAT IS THE RISK OF MY CHILD HAVING A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION (ANAPHYLAXIS)?
Fortunately this problem is very rare. In exceptional cases a severe and potentially dangerous
allergic reaction can be caused by an insect bite (e.g. a wasp or bee sting) a particular food (e.g.
peanuts, shellfish, eggs) or a medicine (e.g. penicillin). If a child is at risk parents should have a preloaded
adrenaline injection at home for emergency use. This should be discussed with your doctor.

WHAT IS THE RISK OF MY NEXT CHILD HAVING ECZEMA?
If you have one affected child then the risk of your next child having is of the order of 25%. If both
parents are affected the risk rises to 40%. It is important to remember that the severity of eczema can
vary within the same family, so that even if the next child is affected it may well be much less of a
problem.

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