SKIN CONDITIONS AS AN ALLERGIC RESPONSE TO FOOD

Food Allergies and Your Skin 

SKIN CONDITIONS AS AN ALLERGIC RESPONSE TO FOOD

URTICARIA - HIVES

The skin is a common target organ for allergic responses to food. Acute urticaria is characterized by pruritic, transient, erythematous raised lesions, sometimes accompanied by localized swelling (angioedema). Food allergy accounts for up to 20 percent of cases of acute urticaria and is mediated by IgE specific to food protein. Lesions usually occur within one hour after ingestion of or contact with the causal food. Because only 1.4 percent of cases of chronic or persistent urticaria (i.e., lasting more than six weeks) are caused by food allergy, a search for a causative food in the initial evaluation of this condition is not generally warranted.

ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Atopic dermatitis usually begins in early infancy and is characterized by a typical distribution (face, scalp and extremities), extreme pruritus and a chronic and relapsing course. This inflammatory skin condition is frequently associated with allergic disorders (e.g., asthma and allergic rhinitis) and with a family history of allergy. Evidence suggests that IgE-mediated food allergy plays a pathogenic role in atopic dermatitis, particularly in children, although non–IgE-mediated food allergy has also been implicated. Clinical studies using double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges have shown that 37 percent of children with moderate atopic dermatitis have food allergy. By contrast, 6 to 8 percent of infants and children in the general population are allergic to some type of food.   

                                

DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic papulovesicular skin disorder in which lesions are distributed over the extensor surfaces of the elbows, knees and buttocks. The disorder is associated with a specific non–IgE-mediated immune sensitivity to gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, oat and rye). Although dermatitis herpetiformis is related to celiac disease, patients often appear to have no associated gastrointestinal problems. The rash abates with the elimination of gluten from the diet. 

                                

aafp

Do early skin care practices alter the risk of atopic dermatitis? A case-control study

Pediatr Dermatol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2012 July 15.

Published in final edited form as:

Pediatr Dermatol. 2011 Sep-Oct; 28(5): 593–595.

Published online 2011 September 5.doi:  10.1111/j.1525-1470.2011.01384.x

Marla E. Rendell, M.D Shahana F. Baig-Lewis, M.P.H., Trista M. Berry, B.S.,^** Melissa E. Denny, M.D.,^* Brenda M. Simpson, B.A.,^* Peter A. Brown, B.S.,and Eric L. Simpson, M.D., M.C.R.^**

^ABSTRACT

Background

The rise in atopic dermatitis prevalence seen in industrialized countries in unexplained. Some authors have suggested that the increase in the use of skin care products is partly responsible. There are few studies examining skin care practices commonly used in treatment of children. We hypothesized that the use of moisturizers early in life may alter the risk for developing atopic dermatitis.

Methods

A case-control study utilizing two control groups was performed. Cases were defined as children under six years of age who developed atopic dermatitis. A normal control and a high-risk control group were used for comparison. Parents or caregivers of children were questioned regarding skin care practices used in early life in an attempt to identify practices that increased the risk of developing atopic dermatitis.

Results

The regular use of a moisturizer on the child during the first six months of life was very common in all groups, 76%, 74.7%, and 78% in the atopic, non-atopic, and high-risk groups, respectively. Because of the high rate of moisturizer use in all groups, no significant differences were found between groups. Watery lotions were the most commonly used moisturizer.

Conclusions

Despite published guidelines advising to the contrary, the regular use of moisturizers was common in this population. Although no one specific skin care practice was associated with atopic dermatitis, the frequent use of products potentially detrimental to the skin barrier raises concern.

Full Text Article

PubMed - NIH

Safety and efficacy of personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal.

2012

Criquet M, Roure R, Dayan L, Nollent V, Bertin C.

Source

Johnson & Johnson Santé Beauté France, Issy les Moulineaux, France.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Colloidal oatmeal is a natural ingredient used in the formulation of a range of personal care products for relief of skin dryness and itchiness. It is also used as an adjunctive product in atopic dermatitis. The safety of personalcare products used on vulnerable skin is of particular importance and the risk of developing further skin irritations and/or allergies should be minimized.

METHODS:

In a series of studies, we tested the safety of personal care products containing oatmeal (creams, cleansers, lotions) by assessing their irritant/allergenic potential on repeat insult patch testing, in safety-in-use and ocular studies using subjects with nonsensitive and sensitive skin. We also tested the skin moisturizing and repair properties of an oatmeal-containing skin care product for dry skin.

RESULTS:

We found that oatmeal-containing personal care products had very low irritant potential as well as a very low allergenic sensitization potential. Low-level reactions were documented in 1.0% of subjects during the induction phase of repeat insult patch testing; one of 2291 subjects developed a persistent but doubtful low-level reaction involving edema during the challenge phase in repeat insult patch testing. No allergies were reported by 80 subjects after patch testing after in-use application. Sustained skin moisturizing was documented in subjects with dry skin that lasted up to 2 weeks after product discontinuation.

CONCLUSION:

Our results demonstrate that colloidal oatmeal is a safe and effective ingredient in 

Dove Press