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Atopy

Education Resource Center: What Causes Eczema

The exact cause of eczema is unknown. You might have inherited a tendency for eczema. You may have a family member who has eczema or who has hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or asthma. Many doctors think eczema is linked to allergic disease, such as hay fever or asthma. Doctors call this the atopic triad.

DNA

Q: Does DNA or genetics have anything to do with asthma and eczema in children? And why does it skip generations?

A: The simplest answer is that DNA has everything to do with what we’re talking about, and it doesn’t really skip generations. When we talk about allergic disease ranging from eczema to hay fever and allergies and asthma, there really is a genetic predisposition to what families will carry. The true risk is actually any history of atopic disease. We are seeing fewer generations of people who didn’t have histories of hay fever or allergies in the past develop these diseases.