Understanding causes of eczema from scratch

THERE is no cure for eczema (atopic dermatitis), but with proper skin care and diet, it can be controlled. However, the danger does not stop with eczema.

Pantai Hospital consultant paediatrician, clinical immunologist and allergist Dr Amir Hamzah Abdul Latiff says eczema will likely herald the arrival of its "comrade diseases" -- allergic rhinitis and asthma.

"This is known as the atopic march, whereby in a human's life trajectory, he or she may suffer from eczema during their infancy; then, asthma or allergic rhinitis and nasal airway inflammation may follow suit during their teenage days or well into adulthood."

He says although 80 per cent of adults may outgrow eczema naturally, it does not mean that they are fully cured.

"It's just dormant and has not been producing any reaction due to the adult avoiding possible eczema trigger factors," says Dr Amir Hamzah, who is also president of the Malaysian Society of Allergy and Immunology.

He adds that possible trigger factors include stress, food such as peanuts, seafood or dairy products, and environmental allergens such as dust mites.

On the causes of eczema, he says it is mainly because of hereditary factors and gene truncation mutation in a particular protein known as filaggrin.

The lack of this protein inevitably causes a severe form of dry skin and itchiness. This leads to reactions within the skin that further damage the barrier effect of the skin, making it easier for bacteria to penetrate the skin.

Besides hereditary reasons, Dr Amir Hamzah says an imbalance in the Immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody to protect against parasites, can also become a factor.

Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur allergy and immunology consultant Dr Kent Woo says modern studies show that Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in incidences of allergy and atopic dermatitis.

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Understanding causes of eczema from scratch