FOOD ALLERGY IN ATOPIC DERMATITIS: HOW, WHEN AND WHY DO WE TEST?

The hallmark of atopic dermatitis is a defective skin barrier. Atopic dermatitis and food allergies are frequently associated, yet food allergies are rarely the direct cause of the eczema. Patients with atopic dermatitis need to be selected prudently for food allergy testing, as many eczema patients show sensitisation to multiple foods, without necessarily being allergic. Failure to interpret food allergy test results correctly in eczema patients, may lead to overuse of nutritionally and socially compromising elimination diets. Oral food challenges form an integral part of food allergy diagnosis in eczema patients. Early onset eczema, eczema that is refractory to treatment and young age are more commonly associated with food allergy.