Food allergy

Skin prick test reactivity in patients with chronic eczematous external otitis

Objectives

To investigate the incidence of skin prick test (SPT) positivity in patients with eczematous external otitis.

Methods

Forty-six patients with eczematous external otitis and forty-four healthy volunteers were included in the study. All the patients were skin-tested by prick test. Reactions were assessed by the degree of redness and swelling and the size of the wheal produced.

Results

According to SPT positivity and total immunoglobulin E values, the difference between the study and the control groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The most common skin reactions were against to mites and grasses in this study.

Conclusion

Eczematous external otitis is perhaps the most difficult to treat of all forms of external otitis because the provocative agents usually remain undiagnosed. Patients suffering from eczematous external otitis symptoms should be investigated for allergens and be informed for prevention of the causative agents. SPT might be performed in cases of prolonged or treatment-resistant external otitis.

Relation between the socioeconomic status of the family and primary allergy prevention in infant feeding in Hajdu-Bihar County, Hungary

BACKGROUND

The relationship between socioeconomic status and preventive care is an important issue in public health practice in Hungary. Our aim was to investigate the association between the socioeconomic status and the present practice of primary allergy prevention in infant feeding in Hajdú-Bihar County, Hungary.

METHODS

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was performed among 3076 infants aged 0-6 months. We studied how socioeconomic status, type of settlement, allergic background of the family and skin symptoms indicative for allergy were related to primary allergy prevention in infant feeding. Prevalence odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Independent determinants of breast feeding were age [OR corresponding to one month change 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-0.77], the female gender (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.06-1.46), the socioeconomic status of the family (OR comparing the worst with the best category 0.63; 95% CI 0.43-0.93), and birth weight (OR comparing <1500 g to >2500 g category 0.17; 95% CI 0.07-0.41). Among supplementary nutrient users independent determinants of the use of hydrolysed infant formulae were the socioeconomic status (OR comparing the worst with the best category 0.06; 95% CI 0.01-0.27), the type of settlement (OR comparing village with town 0.48; 95% CI 0.28-0.80), history of allergy in the family (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.28-4.11), and skin symptoms indicative of allergy (OR 3.46; 95% CI 1.96-6.14).

CONCLUSION

Socioeconomic status is related to the implementation of primary allergy prevention in infant feeding.

Asymptomatic food hypersensitivity prevalence in patients with eczematous external otitis

PURPOSE

The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between food hypersensitivity and eczematous external otitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 27 patients with eczematous external otitis and 16 healthy volunteer were included. The existence of food hypersensitivity was defined by positive epicutaneous prick test and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

RESULTS

Food allergy test was positive in 13 (48.1%) out of 27 cases with eczematous external otitis, and it was positive in 2 (12.5%) out of 16 cases in control group. The difference between 2 groups was statistically significant (P =.02). Specific IgE seropositivity (51.9%) was high in the patients with eczematous external otitis compared with the control group (12.5%) (P =.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Food hypersensitivity may be a factor, which should be considered in eczematous external otitis patients. Patients suffering from eczematous external otitis symptoms should be evaluated for food hypersensitivity.