What should you know about skin asthma?

Some people use skin asthma for dry, itchy, inflamed, or sensitive skin. Asthma affects the airways, while eczema and contact dermatitis affect the skin, so a clinician may need to separate these problems. A personal or family tendency toward allergy can make several conditions occur in the same person. Allergic Rhinitis and House Dust Mite Allergy may also coexist with asthma.

Breathing symptoms such as wheezing, cough, or chest tightness point toward airway involvement rather than a skin disorder. A rash does not by itself establish asthma, and asthma does not automatically explain every rash.

Note when the skin changes began, where they appear, whether they itch, and what touched the area beforehand. Use a plain fragrance-free moisturiser regularly, avoid scratching, and pause newly introduced soaps or cosmetics if they seem to irritate the skin. Follow any prescribed asthma plan and keep reliever medicine available as directed.

Arrange a medical assessment if the rash persists, spreads, cracks, oozes, or repeatedly returns. Take photographs during a flare and bring a list of skin products, medicines, pets, dust exposure, and breathing triggers.

Seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, inability to speak comfortably, or rapidly worsening wheezing. Urgent assessment is also appropriate when facial or tongue swelling follows a possible allergen, especially with breathing or swallowing difficulty. For ongoing cough, see Chronic Cough; for airway warning symptoms, read Chest Tightness, Cough, or Wheezing.

Could this be eczema, contact dermatitis, or an allergic reaction? Do my skin symptoms and breathing symptoms share a trigger? Should I be assessed for Asthma or Allergic Rhinitis? Which moisturiser, inhaler technique, and written action plan fit my symptoms?