Why Eczema Increases the Risk of Peanut Allergy

The Learning Early About Peanut Allergy Study demonstrated that high-risk infants who began to eat peanut before 11 months of age reduced their risk of developing peanut allergy by more than 80%.  These infants were identified as high risk because they had severe eczema, or egg allergy, or both.  But why is there a link between eczema and peanut allergy?

"The theory about early introduction is based on the idea that if infants eat peanut early, so they are exposed through eating before they are exposed to the protein through the skin, they will develop tolerance to the food, rather than allergy," said Dr. Ron Sunog, pediatrician and Medical Advisor to Puffworks. "Eczema disrupts the skin's barrier to foreign proteins, so children with eczema are at high risk of exposure through the skin before they have eaten peanut.  Any amount of eczema disrupts the barrier—the worse the eczema, the greater the disruption, the higher the risk."

If your baby has eczema, by moisturizing his or her skin and introducing peanut early you are helping lower his or her risk for developing a peanut allergy – how cool is that?

If you are in search of moisturizing products for your baby, check out Eczema Honey Baby Care Bundle or CeraVe baby skincare or try these natural remedies. However, it is always important to check with your child’s pediatrician too – especially for more severe cases of eczema. For more information about our Puffworks baby puffs for introducing peanut early in a safe way click here.