Food Insecurity and Its Effects on Individuals With Food Allergies and Atopic Dermatitis: A Comprehensive Review

Food insecurity (FI) presents unique challenges for individuals with food allergies (FA) and atopic dermatitis (AD), conditions that often encompass tailored dietary management and medical care. Limited access to safe, nutritious foods exacerbates symptoms and complicates disease management, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. This review explores the complex relationship between FI, FA, and AD, focusing on the challenges faced by affected individuals and identifying potential strategies for reducing disparities. The intersection of FI, FA, and AD creates barriers to disease management, increasing the risk of allergic reactions and disease flares due to limited access to allergen-free foods and over-the-counter topical emollients. Financial strain forces individuals to consume cheaper, less nutritious foods and limit emollient use, worsening health outcomes. Nutritional deficiencies and psychological stress from managing multiple conditions further exacerbate both FA and AD, underscoring the need for multi-level solutions. Public health policies should address these issues by improving access to allergen-free foods and reducing associated financial burdens. This review highlights the bidirectional relationship between FI, FA, and AD and calls for integrated interventions to address both immediate nutritional needs and long-term disease management. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking FI to allergic diseases and to develop strategies to mitigate these risks.