Is Eczema Hereditary?
The exact cause of eczema is not entirely clear, but most sources believe there is a genetic component. You could be at higher risk of eczema if there's a family history of eczema, dermatitis, asthma, or allergies such as hay fever.
Eczema Is a Common Condition
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that manifests as dry, itchy, and inflamed skin that may exude fluid if scratched. It affects more than 30 million Americans. 10 to 20 percent of infants have it, though about half will outgrow it.
Research suggests that parents with eczema, as well as asthma and allergies, are more likely to have children with eczema. It appears that some people are born with genetics that increase their chance of developing eczema. However, many of these people may never display the disease.
There are many factors that contribute to eczema, and a person with a genetic predisposition to eczema could be more likely to develop an active case when exposed to these factors.
A Combination of Risk Factors
People who have eczema seem to have modifications in specific genes. However, these changes don't dictate that eczema will develop during a person's lifetime. Still, these genes can increase the chance of eczema when one of the other risk factors comes into play.
In many cases, eczema appears to be caused by a variety of factors, including immune problems and exposure to environmental triggers.
An individual can mitigate some things, like controlling their diet and alcohol consumption, to limit the occurrence of eczema flare-ups. However, there are other apparent factors that are harder to avoid. These include air pollution, hard water, and living in an urban environment.
Treatment for Eczema
If you have eczema, you're probably less worried about whether it was caused by family history and more interested in what you can do about it. Skin Center of South Miami is a state-of-the-art dermatology center with top physicians who will address your problems with compassion and personalized treatment. Whether you are suffering from eczema or some other skin problem, give us a call at (305) 740-6181 to schedule an appointment.