Don’t dismiss the problem as merely the sensitive skin of a child. Eczema is a sign that your child may have a tendency to allergies and/or asthma. Some 40 per cent of infants with eczema develop asthma by the age of four, and about 30 per cent of all eczema cases in toddlers are linked to an allergy, of which one-third are food related. So, if you see red, dry patches on your child’s skin, talk to your doctor about allergy testing. The earlier allergies are identified and treated, the less likely they are to become more severe. Identifying and treating asthma early can prevent long-term lung damage that can make the condition worse. Increasing numbers of infants are allergic to cow’s milk, eggs and, less commonly, fish, grains and nuts; excessive vomiting of these foods, a skin rash after eating them, chest tightness, ‘vacancy’ or ‘droopiness’ are all signs. Food allergies in children are strongly associated with the development of allergic rhinitis, asthma and eczema. Such allergies can be the first sign of what researchers call the allergic march, a constellation of clues in early life that signal a child’s increased risk for these associated disorders. The allergic march begins with a genetic predisposition, that is, parents, siblings or other close relatives who have allergies or asthma. It continues with the skin rashes and stomach upsets described earlier and progresses to recurrent ear infections (up to 79 per cent of children with chronic ear infections have confirmed allergic rhinitis), nasal congestion and asthma. | 
