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Genetic factors of Atopic Eczema

Megan Kinder megan@dermatitisinformation.com

Research suggests that atopic eczema is largely an inherited condition. This means that the cause lies in the genes that you inherit from your parents.

If a child's parents have atopic eczema, it is highly likely that the child will also develop the condition. Studies have shown that 60% of children who have a parent with atopic eczema also have the condition. If both parents have atopic eczema, there is an 80% chance that a child will also have the condition.

It is not yet known exactly which genes are responsible for eczema, although a protein called filaggrin is involved. Filaggrin attaches to a tough substance called keratin in cells and, along with other structures, forms a barrier at the skin's surface. If there is a problem with your filaggrin, the skin barrier can no longer provide effective protection from the environment.

There may be a problem with your filaggrin if you have inherited a defect in the gene responsible for making filaggrin. In this case, you have a higher risk of developing atopic eczema. The filaggrin gene may account for up to one in five cases of eczema. Other genes responsible for skin inflammation may also be responsible.

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