| Peanut allergies linked to eczema creams
The peanut may seem harmless, but for an estimated 1 in 100 children it is life threatening. Jane Bartlett looks at the latest research linking peanut allergy to eczema creams. An increasing number of children are suffering from peanut allergy, a condition where the immune system has an exaggerated response to the proteins in peanuts and mistakes them for a harmful substance. New theories have linked this escalating health problem to the use of eczema creams containing arachis oil, a medical name for peanut oil. Scientists have found that 90% of children with peanut allergy had previously suffered from eczema, raising concerns that exposing broken skin to peanut oil could trigger the allergy. The research is part of a 10 year study in the Bristol area called Children of the 90s, following 12,000 children and their parents. Dr Gideon Lack, a paediatric allergy specialist based at St Mary’s Hospital, London, carried out the study into eczema. His initial findings suggest that the breakdown of the top layer of skin in eczema can expose the immune system cells to peanut allergens present in emollients. This could make the cells abnormally sensitive to these allergens. It is already known that there is a genetic link between eczema, asthma and other allergic conditions, but Dr Lack’s research indicates that emollients could be a key factor in triggering peanut allergy. Children with the condition were eight times more likely to have had their eczema treated with creams containing arachis. Symptoms of peanut allergy are many and varied They usually occur within 15 minutes of eating the food and include:
Affecting 1- 2% of the UK population, it’s the cause of about 15 deaths each year. Also known as anaphylactic shock, the allergic reaction spirals out of control causing inflammation throughout the body. The blood vessels widen and dilate, reducing the amount of blood available for circulation. As a consequence vital organs are deprived of oxygen and the patient goes into shock. It is life threatening and needs emergency medical treatment.
Peanut allergy usually starts in early childhood If your child complains of a tingling in the mouth, or an itchy feeling after eating peanuts, you should ask your doctor for a referral to an allergy specialist. ‘This isn’t reliable, but if a child complains they don’t like peanuts, that can also be a warning sign,’ says David Reading, founder of the Anaphylaxis Campaign. The peanut allergy may remain mild, but can develop into anaphylaxis, so you should seek medical help no matter how inconsequential the symptoms seem. Coping with a peanut allergy can be worrying and demanding A parent has to steer clear of many more foods than just peanut butter and satay sauce. Peanuts seem to be present in a surprising number of foods. ‘You can find peanut traces in cakes, biscuits, pastries, ice cream, cereal bars, confectionery, vegetarian products, curries, salad dressings and Chinese, Thai or Indonesian dishes,’ says David Reading, whose own daughter died from eating peanuts contained in a lemon meringue pie. ‘Ingredient labels need to be checked thoroughly.’ Even checking the label is no guarantee, as small amounts of peanut do not need to be declared. Eating out in restaurants and buying food from the deli counter can be especially difficult. Peanut oil can also be lurking in non-food products like soaps, shaving creams and shampoos. Since 1998 the Department of Health has advised mothers who suffer with allergies to avoid nuts during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This is also recommended when the father or any siblings have allergic conditions. However, according to Dr Lack’s initial findings, there is no link between a mother consuming nuts and the development of peanut allergy in her baby. Worryingly, he even suggests that if a mother avoids the food it might increase the likelihood of a nut allergy in her baby. The Department of Health issued a statement saying that it will consider in detail the results of the completed study but at the moment, the existing guidelines on nut consumption during pregnancy still stand.
Continue treating eczema with prescribed creams and emollients According to Ruth Carlyle, Director of Information at the National Eczema Society, no emollients or eczema creams available on prescription contain peanut oil, and only a small number of over the counter formulas still do. ‘Look out for the ones on sale in health food shops which do sometimes contain arachis oil,’ she advises. ‘If your child is using a non-prescription emollient I’d recommend checking with your GP to make sure it doesn’t contain arachis oil,’ says Maureen Jenkins, a nurse who runs the British Allergy Foundation Helpline. ‘If you are buying the products over the counter, check with the pharmacist before you make the purchase.’ There are a great number of emollients available and fortunately, most do not contain peanut oil. If your child has eczema she recommends that you also scrutinise other skin care products like nappy rash creams and sun creams – just to be on the safe side.
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