A recent study links eating fast food and allergy symptoms, including eczema in children and adolescents. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood looked at questionnaires completed by over 300,000 adolescents and almost 200,000 completed by parents of younger children. The questionnaire asked about symptoms of asthma, eczema and hay fever as well as about the children’s and teen’s weekly diet. The study was published this month in the British Medical Journal Thorax.

Eczema is a chronic skin condition which causes itchy, red, dry, flaky patches on the skin. It is not caused by an allergy however, those with eczema have a higher risk of developing other allergic reactions, such as asthma or hay fever. It tends to run in families and may worsen during times of stress, irritation from rough substances, such as wool fabrics, sweating and cold, dry climates. Mild cases of eczema are usually treated with over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams but more severe cases can be treated with antihistamines or prescription strength ointments and creams.

The study found a link between eating fast food three or more times per week increased the risk of developing asthma, eczema or hay fever. Both groups, the younger children and the adolescents saw an increased risk of about 30 percent. Both family income and gender were looked at but neither had any influence on the results of the study.

The study also found eating fruit at least three times per week had a protective effect against severe asthma.

The researchers pointed out that the study showed an “association” between fast food and allergic conditions but this does not necessarily indicate a definitive link between the two. However, in an article on CNN, Dr. Stephen Teach, the chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington (who was not involved in the study) stated, “It’s not at all surprising to me that a disease as complex as asthma would be directly affected by diet. We’ve known for a while that diet can affect immune system function with certain foods being pro or anti-inflammatory.” [1]

Dr. Teach says it isn’t necessary to cut out all fast food, but limiting it to one or two times a week and increasing the amount of fruit your child eats, especially if he or she has allergies, may be wise.

References:
“Asthma, Eczema and Hay Fever May Be Linked to Fast Food,” 2013, Jan. 14,  Staff Writer, CNNHealth

“Eczema,” 2004, Staff Writer, McKesson Health Solutions

“The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood,” http://isaac.auckland.ac.nz/