A recent study suggests that as many as one-third of pediatric cases of the chronic skin disorder atopic dermatitis may be caused by food allergies. Researchers at the University of Geneva in Switzerland studied the prevalence of food allergies in 63 patients with atopic dermatitis to collect data; participants were between the ages of three months and 19 years.
The study found that 23 patients (36.5%) tested positive for food allergies, including those to foods such as eggs, milk, wheat, beef, and tangerines. Authors say the findings suggest that sensitivity to certain foods could be a significant trigger for atopic dermatitis and that testing for such sensitivities should be considered for patients requiring chronic treatment for the skin disorder. The study is in the Pediatrics electronics pages.