Eczema

Hi Doctors,

I've just married to a husband who has atopic eczema, but he has no family history of atopic eczema at all.We are planning to have babies, but we are wondering if our babies will get eczema too.Is atopic eczema genetics?If so, is there a way to prevent it? Is there any vaccine for newly born babies to avoid having this problem? And I've saw the topic options here that says Prenatal Genetic Testing, can we check on atopic eczema too?

Thanks.

[Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC]

There is a hereditary component to the most common form of eczema, called atopic eczema.  Atopic eczema is a complex condition and multiple genes are thought to be associated with this disorder.  Atopic eczema often runs in families.  Given your husband’s history, your children may be at increased risk to develop atopic eczema, but it is not a guarantee that they will ever develop it.  I am not aware of any prenatal testing for atopic eczema.  Best wishes to you.

[cairon89]

A related discussion, eczema was started.