New study points to link between eczema, egg allergy and peanut allergy
November 27, 2012
It’s a unique trio that may provide valuable information about future food allergies.
Results from a recent study have shown that the presence of eczema and egg allergy “strongly predict risk” for developing peanut allergy, according to the Learning About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study. The research is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The results could help determine ways to identify infants who could benefit from efforts to prevent the development of peanut allergy. As part of the ongoing study, the researchers will study if introducing peanuts earlier into a child’s diet will help circumvent development of the allergy, according to LEAP.
The results indicating a link between eczema and egg allergy were derived from the initial screening of more than 800 infants for the study. Of those, 640 were enrolled. The findings are published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Eczema is an inflammation of the top layers of skin and results in flakiness, itching and redness. It has been linked to a multitude of allergies. However, 90 percent of kids with a peanut allergy have eczema or have suffered from it before.
Category: Food Safety