Can Immunisations Affect Your Child's Eczema?

Throughout our childhood, we are given different immunisations for certain diseases. We are given them to protect us from these diseases, and to protect people around us from catching anything that we are not immune from.

As parents, you are given the choice if your child is given the program of vaccinations that is recommended.

If your child has eczema you may have concerns and questions.

Is there any reason to worry?

One concern you may have is that your child will have a reaction to the vaccination, or that it could cause their eczema to flare up. Having an allergic reaction is rare, and further vaccinations should only be avoided if a severe reaction occurs.

One problem is, is that there are so many things that can cause the symptoms of eczema to get worse. So even if your child has an outbreak of eczema after having a vaccine, it may be completely unrelated.

A rash may appear after a MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination. Sometimes a measles type rash can occur for up to two weeks afterwards.

If a rash appears after your child has been immunised, some small bumps may appear where the injection was given. But children with eczema are not affected by this anymore than children without it, and it's a common occurrence.

As most vaccines are given as an injection, another worry is the condition of the skin where it is given. Your child's skin may be sore and inflamed. Your doctor or nurse will not give your child a vaccination in an area that is affected by eczema.

Immunisations Guidelines

One of your concerns may be, are vaccinations safe to use if your child is using a certain eczema treatment. Here are some guidelines:

• Immunisation is completely safe if topical steroids are being used

• If your child is using topical tacrolimus, or Protopic, then there are a couple of recommendations. Firstly, give the vaccination before the use of tacrolimus is started. Secondly, when using, leave at least 2 weeks between last using it, and getting immunised

• If immunosuppresants or oral steroidsare being taken then you should always speak to your doctor before the immunisations are given

Some other tips include:

• If your child has eczema that is badly infected, then the skin will need to be treated before the vaccination is given

• Let your doctor know of any allergies that your child has, as there are extremely rare cases of an allergic reaction happening. Children with eczema can also be affected by food allergies. If your child has a severe allergy to egg, speak to your doctor. The MMR vaccination will be given with more care, and if you're travelling to an area where Yellow Fever is advised, then it probably won't be given.

Which Vaccinations Are Recommended?

Depending on which area you live in, different vaccinations are recommended at different ages.

You can click on an area below to see which vaccinations are suggested:

• UK
• Europe
• USA
• Australia
• World Health Organisation (every country listed)

You can also find out about the different vaccinations you may need when you travel.

Doctors, health visitors and other care professionals will normally advise you to allow your children to be immunised. They will talk to you about any concerns you have, and will not do anything to risk your child's health. Whether that means your child being immunised or not.

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