Eczema and allergy: how useful is allergy testing?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema) in children is often associated with allergies.
• Accurate diagnosis of allergies is crucial for effective management of eczema.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic value of skin prick tests and specific immunoglobulin E (spIgE) measurements for identifying allergies in children with eczema.
• To correlate allergy test findings with the clinical history of allergic symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 100 children with moderate to severe eczema.
• Clinical history documentation and atopic dermatitis severity assessment.
• Skin prick tests and blood tests for total IgE and spIgE to common allergens (grass pollen, house-dust mite, egg-white).
• Inclusion of 100 non-allergic children as a control group.

Main Results:

• Elevated total IgE (> 1000 kU/l) was observed in 68% of children with eczema.
• Specific IgE (spIgE) to grass pollen and house-dust mite were frequent findings but showed weak correlation with clinical history.
• Airborne allergen allergies were more prevalent in older children, while egg-white allergy was more common in younger children.

Conclusions:

• No single allergy test is sufficient for diagnosing allergies in children with atopic dermatitis.
• Combining skin prick tests, spIgE measurements, and clinical history provides a more accurate allergy assessment.
• Children with moderate to severe eczema have a high incidence of associated allergies, and clinical nurse specialists play a key role in testing and support.