Sunlight link to food allergy and eczema

The study, which is published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, looked at data from over 7,600 Australian children and how rates of food allergy, eczema and asthma varied from the north, (Queensland),central (New South Wales) and south (Victoria and Tasmania) of the country. 

The study found in the four to five year old age group, the children residing in the southern parts of Australia were more likely to have both food allergy and eczema. 

In the eight to nine year old age group, the odds of having a peanut allergy were six times greater and the odds of having eczema were twice as great in the southernmost children, compared with those living in the north. 

The study found no link between latitude and rates of asthma. 
 
Lead researcher, A/Professor Katie Allen, says the study adds weight to the hypothesis that sunlight might play a role in the increasing prevalence of food allergy and eczema. 

"This study has further highlighted the possible link between food allergies, eczema and where you live.  The results of our study provides further motivation for research into possible casual links into UV radiation and vitamin D levels in this disease group," she said. 

"Investigating these links at a much finer level, by examining such things as temperature, levels of sunlight, as well as vitamin D in the blood, might provide more clues to the nature of these associations."