3 ms·

Exposure (or lack of) is certainly a huge factor here, but I'm wondering whether some of the variance in peanut allergy between different parts of the world is

Exposure (or lack of) is certainly a huge factor here, but I'm wondering whether some of the variance in peanut allergy between different parts of the world is driven by HLA groups—which are strongly associated with ethnicity and geographic location. If you got your HLA genes from a great-grandparent who hailed from Scandinavia, are you more likely to develop a peanut allergy than someone whose HLA genes can be traced back to West Africa? I'm also curious about the way that many (if not most?) kids seem to suffer less severe peanut allergies as they get older, or even grow out of them entirely... because I've heard similar things about bee sting allergies. Not sure if it's a similar mechanism at play.

rawgabbit 2y ago
I am also unconvinced we know the real reason for increased peanut allergies. I still tend to believe the eczema and skin cream theory. No one in my family except my son has peanut allergies. He did have severe eczema and we diligently applied all kinds of skin creams. It was only later I learned eczema means a breakdown of the skin blood barrier. Maybe this led to exposure to allergens in the air or even in the creams that led to him developing peanut allergy? https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/skin-creams-linked-with-peanut-allergy-5364433.html https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families... A lot of creams have colloidal oatmeal which seems safe. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oatmeal-bath-for-eczema https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oatmeal-bath-for-e... I would avoid anything with nut oils. https://www.allergycompanions.com/blog/skincare-that-can-contains-nut-oils-brands-and-tips-allergy-companions/ https://www.allergycompanions.com/blog/skincare-that-can-con...
- spondylosaurus 2y ago
  The eczema connection is interesting! I do wonder about the cause and effect, though—it may not be that eczema (or creams to treat it) cause peanut allergies so much as that both stem from the same root cause. Eczema is an autoimmune response, after all! ETA: Not sure if you know this already, but most people who have eczema also have asthma (and vice versa). Might be something to keep an eye on :)

rawgabbit 2y ago

I am also unconvinced we know the real reason for increased peanut allergies. I still tend to believe the eczema and skin cream theory. No one in my family except my son has peanut allergies. He did have severe eczema and we diligently applied all kinds of skin creams. It was only later I learned eczema means a breakdown of the skin blood barrier. Maybe this led to exposure to allergens in the air or even in the creams that led to him developing peanut allergy? https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/skin-creams-linked-with-peanut-allergy-5364433.html https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families... A lot of creams have colloidal oatmeal which seems safe. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oatmeal-bath-for-eczema https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oatmeal-bath-for-e... I would avoid anything with nut oils. https://www.allergycompanions.com/blog/skincare-that-can-contains-nut-oils-brands-and-tips-allergy-companions/ https://www.allergycompanions.com/blog/skincare-that-can-con...

spondylosaurus 2y ago
The eczema connection is interesting! I do wonder about the cause and effect, though—it may not be that eczema (or creams to treat it) cause peanut allergies so much as that both stem from the same root cause. Eczema is an autoimmune response, after all! ETA: Not sure if you know this already, but most people who have eczema also have asthma (and vice versa). Might be something to keep an eye on :)