Beliefs and practices among adults with eczema and carers of children with eczema regarding the role of food allergy. (1st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chan, J.; Ridd, M. J.
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental dermatology. Volume 44:Number 7(2019)
• Page Start: e235
• Page End: e237
• Publication Date: 2019-10-01
• Subjects: Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/ced.13955
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0307-6938

Abstract

Summary: In this study, 211 carers of children and adults with atopic eczema/dermatitis (AE) completed an online questionnaire about diet and allergy. The study group comprised 106 children [mean age 5 years, Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) score mean ± SD 13.8 ± 7.8] and 105 adults (mean age 35 years, POEM score 14.5 ± 7.5). We found that 57% of respondents had discussed the role of diet in AE with a health professional and 38% felt this discussion was unhelpful or very unhelpful. Regarding testing, 54% reported having had an allergy test. Food exclusion was common; 68% of children and 46% of adults excluded one or more foods from their diet, with 40% of children and 52% of adults doing so to reduce AE symptoms. The most commonly avoided food among both children (63%) and adults (50%) was cow's milk. Only 17% of adults with modified diets had received dietary advice from a dietitian, compared with 57% of children. Clinicians should routinely ask patients about their views of diet in eczema and any changes that they have made, offering objective assessment where appropriate.