Food Allergies in Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a common chronic recurrent skin condition due to an impaired skin barrier and increased skin inflammation.

Environmental factors such as heat, sweat, dust and stress play a major role in triggering AD flares while food allergy is associated in only a minority of patients with AD.

Investigations should be carried out only if there is a high suspicion and after discussion with the doctor.

There are two types of food allergies:

1. Immediate type reactions are caused by an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) and it can present with symptoms such as hives (urticaria), swelling around the eyes and lips, breathlessness, stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. These symptoms typically occur within minutes and up to two hours after eating the triggering food.
2. Delayed type reaction which are not caused by IgE, may take up to two days to appear. The most common symptoms are those related to the gastrointestinal tract such as vomiting, bloating and diarrhoea, and less commonly eczema.