Assignment #16: Interview

Essential Question: Why is there an association between eczema, asthma, and rhinitis (allergies) and how to most effectively treat these conditions?

Interview Questions:

1. How common is it for a patient to have at least one of these conditions?

-Up to 80% of kids with eczema gets hay fever or asthma later in childhood. 10-20% of children in the population has eczema and 70% of cases start in children younger than 5 years old.

-I was surprised when I learned that if a mom has allergies, there’s almost a 1 in 3 chance that the baby will have eczema.

2. Does the atmosphere and environment have a toll on the association between eczema, allergies, and asthma?

-Yes, you could have triggers that you are exposed to. If you have allergies, then the allergens that you are sensitive to may trigger a response within your body and skin. Some allergens like pollen, and dust may trigger a response if you are allergic to them.

- I have allergies to dust and pollen and my body gets irritated when I am exposed to these external factors.

3. Does a patient with severe asthma have severe eczema or rhinitis?

-They may have a higher probability of having eczema and rhinitis, but it isn’t always a direct causation.

- Correlation does not always mean causation.

4. How is there an association between eczema, asthma, and rhinitis?

-They are all atopy related. They are all coded by the same gene, so you may have more of a chance to develop the other conditions.

- There are many studies being done with the “atopic march” which are theories that provides and answer to the association of these three conditions. When a child has eczema, their skin barrier could be worn down from the inflammations and irritations which may lead the skin to being more prone to outside allergens and irritants. Also, when the skin is damaged, it may lead to the skin secreting TSLP (Thymic stromal lymphopoietin) which is a compound capable of releasing a powerful immune response. When this compound travels throughout the body via the blood, it may reach the lungs which triggers asthma. This is one possible theory and explanation, but there are many reasons and factors that contribute to the association between the three conditions.

5. If you treat one condition, will the rest be treated altogether as well?

-It is possible that if you treat allergies then the eczema will get better as well. The allergies may trigger eczema, so if you treat the allergies with avoidance and medication then your eczema may improve as well.

-There isn’t a direct link for correlation and causation.

6. What are some of the causes in receiving these conditions? Is it hereditary?

-Some of the causes of having these conditions may be hereditary, so children with these conditions may have relatives in the family that has these conditions also; they may be more prone in getting it. However, unless an external or internal factor triggers the condition, someone may never know that they have these conditions.

- In my family, my uncle has asthma, my cousin has eczema and my brother has tree nut allergies.

7. How do you effectively treat asthma?

-Medication and avoiding certain triggers like infection, allergy, smoke or exercise that causes a reactive response.

-Inhalers and daily medications may help reduce flare-up from happening.

8. How do you effectively treat rhinitis?

-Allergen avoidance and by taking antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin.

- I have allergies and it cannot fully be treated but it can be reduced from irritations

9. How do you effectively treat eczema?

-You can treat it with emollient creams and prescribed steroids.

-I was surprised to find out that it is better as a baby to put on creams and lotions, because it helps protect the skin from damaging and possibly developing eczema, allergies and asthma. Children are much more prone and more likely to outgrow it; sequence of these conditions are not always important.

10. What parts of the body are connected or associated with each other? Are there any other associations in the body like this?

-None of them are genetic. There are not many associations like these in the body.

- I was surprised, because I thought there may be more associations like this in the body, but there are not.