Asthma Caused By Dry Skin? New Study Reveals Link Between Dry Skin and Asthma Symptoms

No matter of your age, sex, or ethnicity everyone has experienced dry skin at least once if not many times in their life. Dry skin is so common that many do not even think twice and just accept it as being a part of life. But what if there was much more to it than just a common annoyance that comes and goes? What if your dry skin was actually linked to diseases and medical conditions that could actually be very severe and possibly life threatening. Researchers are finding that this might be the case. A recent study has now revealed a link between dry skin and asthma.

Facts about Asthma

There are approximately 20 million people living in the United States that are diagnosed with asthma. Anyone of any age group can suffer from asthma. Currently, 9 million children living in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma. (1) Approximately 5000 do die every year because of asthma complications. Asthma is a chronic medical condition that affects your respiratory system. An asthma attack occurs when a trigger causes inflammation in the airway thus making it difficult to carry air in and out of your lungs. (2) Currently, those that are the medical community are not sure on the exact cause of asthma, however; they do feel as though it might be due to hereditary factors as well as gene malfunction. A recent study found there to be a definitely link between dry skin, eczema, and asthma.

Study Findings

In 2006 experts from the University of Dundee had a major discovery. They found that a gene that genetically causes dry skin and eczema, which are conditions that affect millions of people everyday. After more research they also found that the same gene was tied to certain types of asthma as well. (3) The gene that they discovered produces a certain protein that is called filaggrin. Filaggrin is usually found in large quantities on the outside layer of the skin. This protein is important because it provides a skin barrier function that helps to protect the layer at the surface of the skin that keeps water or unwanted substances out. Those that suffer from dry skin, eczema, and asthma all have a reduction or absence of filaggrin in their system. (3) Researchers were also able to give an estimate of how many people are affected by this gene defect. It is estimated that roughly 60 million people around the world are affected. Of those 60 million about 1 million are anticipated to have a very severe form of the gene defect which would cause them to suffer from extreme cases of dry skin, eczema, and asthma. (3)

Ways to Treat Asthma

What many people are not aware of is that there are many ways that people can treat asthma naturally instead of using the harsh ingredients that are found in prescription and over the counter medication. Recent research has found that eating citrus or kiwi fruit once or twice a week greatly reduces asthma attacks. (4) People have also found a lot of success when using natural supplements to treat asthma.

References:

(1) http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhoIsAtRisk.html

(2) http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html

(3) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/39974.php (4) http://www.webmd.com/news/20000420/children-asthma-vitamin-C

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