Peanut protein as a major cause of adverse food reactions in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Peanuts, along with milk and eggs, have been documented to account for approximately 80% of adverse reactions to foods in patients with atopic dermatitis. Over the past 3 years, we have evaluated 71 patients with atopic dermatitis, ranging from mild to severe in nature. These patients were initially evaluated by allergy prick skin testing and when appropriate had double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges done. Thirty-nine (55%) patients had a positive prick skin test to one of the foods tested. There were 80 food challenges performed with peanut, accounting for 12 (32%) of the 38 positive challenges in 23 (31%) patients. As in earlier studies, patients developed skin (97%), respiratory (55%), and gastrointestinal (32%) symptoms during the challenge. Of the five patients with histories of prior anaphylactic reactions four (80%) were to peanut. These studies indicate that children with all degrees of atopic dermatitis may benefit from evaluation for food hypersensitivity. They also show that peanut is a major food protein responsible for these reactions.
Burks
A W
AW
Department of Pediatrics and Dermatology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Williams
L W
LW
Mallory
S B
SB
Shirrell
M A
MA
Williams
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D010367:Arachis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002645:Chickens; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004531:Eggs; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis; D008892:Milk / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins