Eczema and allergies

Australian researchers have found that toddlers who suffer from eczema and allergies are significantly more likely to develop asthma than other kids.

By testing hundreds of toddlers, the researchers found that those with eczema who tested positive for allergies were almost three times more likely to have asthma by the age of seven than kids with eczema who tested negative to allergies.

They were also more likely to develop hayfever, particularly if their skin prick test results suggested a possible food allergy, said the lead researcher Adrian Lowe, from the University of Melbourne's school of population health.

"There has been much discussion about the links between eczema and other allergic diseases such as asthma, but this study is the first to clearly demonstrate that among children with eczema there are certain groups who are at much higher risk," Lowe said.

Although eczema is extremely common, affecting up to 20 per cent of children, only a very small percentage are tested for allergy as specialist allergy testing requires a referral and long waiting lists.

The study involved 620 Melbourne children with eczema who were skin prick tested for allergies to cow's milk, egg white, peanuts, house dust mite, rye grass and cat hair. They were tested three times up until the age of two and then followed-up at the age of five and seven.

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This article was first published in Australian Family Magazine, May 2008. Updated July 2009.