Eczema is a common skin condition with numerous proven triggers that can range from personal hygiene to prescribed medications. It has been suggested that vaccinations may also be a cause of eczema flare-ups, and many questions arise such as: should babies with eczema be vaccinated and will my eczema become worse after vaccination? But, do vaccines cause eczema?
Always consult with a medical professional before having a vaccine.
Here are 10 facts on eczema and vaccines to help you understand how they relate to each other. Always consult with a medical professional before having a vaccine.
- According to the Queensland Government’s page on immunisation, vaccinated children do not have a higher prevalence of eczema when compared to unvaccinated children.
- Eczema is caused by a malfunctioning immune system that overreacts to triggers and causes inflammation.
- Eczema is not caused by vaccines such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Similarly, vaccines for diphtheria, polio, and tetanus pose no major risks, according to a study quoted by the Rasch Foundation.
- There are some eczema vaccines exemptions. People with eczema should not receive smallpox vaccinations. They can develop a condition called eczema vaccinatum after receiving a smallpox vaccine. They are also at risk of contracting the condition upon physical contact with someone who has received the smallpox vaccine.
- Conventional treatments for eczema tend to involve medications that weaken the patient’s immune system. A weaker immune system will have a harder time fighting off bacterial and viral infections.
- Killed vaccines are also known as inactivated vaccines and are safe for eczema sufferers. These vaccines contain dead bacteria that are not dangerous to a person with a compromised immune system.
- Patients with eczema have weaker immune systems, and you are more likely to have an eczema vaccine reaction, which means that live (activated) bacteria vaccines should not be administered to them.
- Eczema sufferers who also have extreme allergies to eggs may have reactions to the flu and MMR vaccines. The reason for an eczema after flu shot reaction is that these vaccines are developed using chicken embryos. They can cause severe respiratory and gastrointestinal reactions.
- If a child has hives, they can still be given the MMR vaccine without triggering eczema.
- Large numbers of people with eczema have colonies of Staphylococcus aureus growing on their skin. Research into eczema and flu shots has shown that they may have a lower response to flu vaccine shots when they are administered intradermally rather than intramuscularly.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help you with your eczema, contact us today for more information or visit our products page to view our natural eczema creams and lotions.
