Does Eczema Cause Food Allergies?
The Study
The study was conducted in the UK and looked at over 600 three month olds that were exclusively breastfed from birth. The study was looking at extending previous findings from another study that found that people with a skin problem such as eczema do not have adequate protection to environmental allergens. This new study found that babies with a skin barrier problem, especially eczema, were six times more likely to have a sensitivity to certain foods. The study found that egg whites were the most common allergen sensitivity followed by cow’s milk and peanuts. They also found that the worse the case of eczema was the more likely the baby was to have a food sensitivity.
What Does This Mean?
Until now it has been thought that food allergies were developed in the gut, but this study is saying that they instead may actually develop through immune cells in the skin. The researchers did point out that having eczema did not guarantee that a baby would have a food sensitivity, but it was far more likely that they would. They feel that more research needs to be done, but this could be a break through that could help us find a way to prevent food allergies from starting.
My Personal Thoughts
When I read about this study last week it was like a light bulb went off. I personally feel that this is an amazing discovery, and I feel that the researchers are on the right track. To me it all makes complete sense. I have heard that one of the reasons they think food allergies are becoming more common is because our society is becoming so clean. By constantly washing and sanitizing our bodies are reacting more to the foreign things that enter our bodies. In other words, while we’re working better to keep from getting sick one way we’re actually causing worse problems in another way. I’m not advocating that we shouldn’t do what we need to stay clean, but you can see how a foreign substance would freak our bodies out in such a sterile environment. Then you have this study which makes it all come together. We’re having problems because we’re clean, and then you have something like eczema that is ruining our bodies last natural defense system, our skin, so our bodies can no longer handle and fight against allergens. It all makes sense!
For us personally it makes sense as well. By the time Nick was only a few weeks old he had terrible eczema. We had to put medication and special eczema lotion on it twice a day. In fact it was pretty bad for almost his entire first year. Plus Nick had a reaction to eggs right from the start. They say you sometimes can eat a food a few times before a reaction occurs, but that wasn’t the case with Nick. He ate the egg and his body sent out a warning right then and there.
To me this is an amazing study, but I personally think that they need to conduct the study on infants that are exclusively formula fed as well to see if the same results occur. While the babies in the study weren’t eating any of the food allergy foods they still could have been developing a sensitivity due to what is coming through the breast milk from what their mother’s had eaten. I think we all know a baby that got sick from things in breast milk that caused the mother to have to change her diet. I still think this study is a huge break through in our understanding of food allergies though, and I hope that it will lead us to finding a way to prevent them.
I agree this totally makes sense; if everything would be put together I think this research would lead to something good. I hope.
Great article, it’s so nice to see posts like this dedicated to the gut! I actually took part in a 30-day Eczema Free program around this study (eczema allergies related to the gut), and so far it’s been working spot-on for people! I found the GAPS diet a bit too restrictive, (only soups for a week!?) but I did like the idea. After working with researchers and skin experts I was able to clear my eczema in just 30 days! As you mentioned, babies and children were not particularly tested during the study, but I think it can apply to them as well. Especially if the parents have allergies or have had eczema before.
That’s so great that you got rid of your eczema! Mine, and my son’s, seem to be directly related to the weather (my poor son’s has been awful since we returned from Florida), so luckily ours should be better once the winter finally leaves. It is such an awful things to deal with.
I personally disagree with the conclusions of this study. Yes, there is absolutely a connection between food allergies and eczema. However, after reading extensively, I have concluded that it is far more likely that the condition of the digestive system leads to the allergies to food, and also the autoimmune reaction that causes eczema. When the digestive system is damaged (can be the result of poor bacteria colonizing in the body immediately at birth) there are holes in the lining (leaky gut). This causes food particles and other allergens to leak into the body that would otherwise not get in. These substances in the body cause autoimmune reactions, such as eczema. Food particles (in particular the proteins in the food we eat) leak through the holes, and that’s when we see the food allergies. So… if you heal the digestive system and seal up the holes, the eczema will stop and the food allergies will stop. The food allergies do not necessarily cause the eczema, but you often see the two together because of the condition of the digestive system. Have you ever heard of the GAPS diet? I have heard many positive stories of people healing their eczema and food allergies and a result of following that diet and healing their digestive system.
I haven’t heard of that study. It seems though that if things to get through into the gut that those with allergies would be allergic to a lot more. Nick’s eczema doesn’t seem to have anything to do with what he eats either. I haven’t heard of the GAPS diet, although luckily Nick’s allergy is pretty much gone. I’ll have to look into that study. Thanks for sharing.
This makes me wanna go back and do proper tests!!
Sure it makes sense! When I was growing up I’m sure I ate more dirt than my kids ever will! lol
Huh it’s interesting for sure but I don’t know. I know some people who have eczema and have no allergies and people with allergies who don’t have eczema. Then of course the people that have both so it’s confusing but definitely interesting to read.
I am a bit confused. Is the study saying that eczema actually causes allergies, or that it means that the body is already fighting one immuno-related battle with the eczema, so the body is less able to properly respond to foods to which they already have a mild or moderate allergy?
Either way, I do agree that there is a lot that we don’t understand about allergies. I also agree that our excessive use of Purell and antibacterial everything is playing a role in creating problems for our immune systems. (Don’t get me wrong, I can be just as guilty as the next person on this one).
I am always happy to see research moving in the right direction. I hope that they find some answers. My 4-year-old is already getting allergy shots every other day. My 2-year-old will be starting soon. In both cases, we are trying to find a solution that doesn’t involve constant, miserable sinus problems, multiple trips to the doctor, prednisone, emergency nebulizer treatments, etc… UGH
This is interesting. I had childhood eczema and asthma, but thankfully have never developed any food allergies.
I have a kiddo with eczema, but I had NO CLUE that eczema and food allergies go hand in hand. Thanks for the info!
This first struck me as bizarre, but it does make sense! All these years perhaps the thinking on this has been backwards! I hope they investigate this further, using more variables. Thanks for the info!
Makes sense. I have a nephew that has eczema and a nut allergy. 🙁
That’s interesting…I wish they could figure all this stuff out. Maybe a genetic test at birth that tells you what you have a predisposition to?
So interesting. Thanks for the info. I’m going to have to look in to this study more. My daughter is about to turn one. She has HORRIBLE eczema, scratches until she bleeds, and wakes up in the middle of the night scratching and crying. She also has bad food allergies, which include, milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, rye, and dogs. We also think corn, but she wasn’t tested for that one. I’m always looking for information on eczema and food allergies. They have both rocked my world this past year.
Oh your poor baby! Nick’s always looked bad, but he never scratched at it. I get eczema as well and I know how bad it can itch. There are a lot of write ups on the study out there, but I found that most of them all said the same thing. I’ll be very interested to see follow up studies on it. I hope your daughter gets better and outgrows at least some of her allergies. Nick’s eczema got better after he turned one, so maybe it comes with outgrowing some of that.
The study makes a lot of sense. My oldest had bad eczema when he was a baby but thankfully it went away as he got older. He doesn’t have any food allergies but is sensitive to dyes in foods. Thanks for sharing this!
hmmm interesting info….it’s definitely got me thinking.
Oh my gosh, yes, it really does make sense that this could be happening!!!