Eczema and Allergies: When to Seek Allergy Testing for Your Child

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects millions of children worldwide. While it primarily manifests as red, itchy, and inflamed skin, its underlying causes can be complex and multifaceted. Recent research has shed light on the strong connection between eczema and allergies, suggesting that kids with eczema may benefit from further allergy tests to manage their condition effectively. Understanding Eczema While atopic dermatitis is common and usually develops by age five, allergic contact dermatitis has similar symptoms and can be triggered by a range of substances. In general, eczema is a group of medical conditions causing inflamed, irritated and itchy skin. In the study, children with atopic dermatitis were more likely to test positive for allergies in patch testing. The findings were published Sept. 26 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. “When a dermatologist sees a child who looks like they have eczema, we usually think that it’s atopic dermatitis because nearly 1 in 5 children develop it,” said senior study author Dr. JiaDe (Jeff) Yu, an assistant professor of adult and pediatric dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Sometimes these kids could have allergic contact dermatitis, but the only way to...