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Date:         Thu, 5 Mar 1998 07:51:41 -0500
Reply-To: Eczema Discussion List and Support Group
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Sender: Eczema Discussion List and Support Group
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From: Kelly Farrell <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Pediatric Skin Rash Linked To Food Allergy [Higher %]
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NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Over a third of all children suffering from atopic
dermatitis -- a chronic skin disorder -- may also suffer from food
allergies, according to new research. Experts say those food allergies
may help trigger outbreaks of atopic dermatitis (AD), which is thought
to affect 10% to 12% of all children.

"A significant percentage (37%) of patients referred to a
university-based pediatric dermatologist for atopic dermatitis have
symptomatic food allergy," according to a study conducted by Swiss and
American researchers, led by Dr. Philippe Eigenmann of the University of
Geneva in Switzerland. Their findings appear in the online electronic
pages of the journal Pediatrics (http://www.pediatrics.org).

The investigators conducted various food allergy tests on a group of 63
patients with atopic dermatitis (aged between 3 months and 19 years of
age).

Twenty-three of the patients tested positive for allergies to foods such
as eggs, milk, wheat, beef, and tangerines.

The researchers say food sensitivity could be one of the many triggers
for AD. They believe "an evaluation for food allergy may be warranted in
any  atopic dermatitis patient requiring chronic treatment" or
responding poorly to standard therapies.

There is no preventive measure against food sensitivity besides a strict
avoidance of the substance concerned. However, the experts note that
"children typically outgrow their... reactivity to egg, milk, wheat, and
soy," although allergies to other foods such as peanuts, fish, and
shellfish can last a lifetime.

SOURCE: Pediatrics electronics pages (1998;101(3):e1-6)

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------------------
Mark Feblowitz