Eczema and Food Allergies in Babies

Research show that babies with eczema are six times more likely to develop food allergies, being six times more likely to develop egg allergies, and 11 times more likely to develop peanut allergies by 12 months compared to those without eczema.

Understanding the reasons behind this connection and how to manage both conditions is crucial for your child’s health and comfort.

How Eczema Increases the Risk of Food Allergies

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition in infants that causes dryness, redness, and itching. The underlying immune response involved in eczema plays a key role in increasing the risk of developing food allergies. Here’s how:

• Overactive Immune Response: Babies with eczema have an immune system that overreacts to harmless substances. When exposed to food allergens, the immune system may mistake them for harmful invaders, triggering an allergic reaction.

• Weakened Skin Barrier: The skin of babies with eczema has a compromised barrier, making it easier for the tiny allergen particles to penetrate the "vulnerable" skin when inflamed and enter the body.
  This increases the likelihood of an allergic reaction when food allergens come into contact with the skin, with the immune system mistaking them for harmful invaders. 

This early exposure to allergens through inflamed skin, rather than eating the food, may increase the likelihood of developing allergies. 

What Should I Do If My Child Has an Allergic Reaction?

When your child experiences an allergic reaction to food, it’s understandable to want to remove that food from their diet immediately. However, it’s important to carefully assess the situation and seek professional advice before making any changes.

Unnecessary removal of common foods like milk, eggs, or wheat can create nutritional gaps in younger children and may even increase the risk of developing allergies when reintroduced later. 

In any case, consulting a specialist is crucial. A pediatrician or allergist can assess whether the reaction was indeed caused by food and guide you on how to proceed.

If your child's doctor thinks a certain food might be making their eczema worse, they might suggest a test of eliminating the food from their diet (exclusion diet). 

Managing Eczema and Food Triggers

While certain foods can trigger eczema flare-up, they do not cause it.

This means that avoiding the food is not likely to 'cure' the eczema, but may help to prevent flare-ups. Keeping a food and symptom journal is helpful in identifying patterns and potential food triggers. Noticing what worsens your child’s eczema or causes allergic reactions will help you make informed decisions about their diet.

Excluding a certain food from your child's diet is not likely to improve or prevent eczema. There are many complex reasons why eczema may get worse. 

The best course of action is to treat eczema, as it's hoped this will prevent the transfer of food allergens through skin. This can be done through skin care & moisturisation with a proper skincare routine.

Regularly moisturizing your baby’s skin with gentle, hypoallergenic products helps keep the skin barrier intact, preventing allergens from penetrating the skin and causing a reaction.

Final Thoughts

Eczema can significantly increase the risk of food allergies in infants. Understanding the relationship between the two and knowing how to manage both effectively can help you protect your child’s health.

Always consult a pediatrician or allergist before making dietary changes, and work with them to identify food triggers while maintaining a balanced diet. By being proactive in managing eczema and food allergies, you can help ensure your baby grows up healthy, happy, and safe from unnecessary allergic reactions.

Reference:
Martin, P . E., et al. "Which Infants with Eczema Are at Risk of Food Allergy?" Clinical & Experimental Allergy, vol 45, 2015. Wiley Online Library, https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.12406