Can children have a serious allergic reaction just by touching food? Israeli study says no
Findings from a recent study by experts at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa offer reassuring, evidence-based guidance that can help ease unnecessary food allergies anxiety.
A recent Israeli study has dispelled concerns that children with food allergies can experience serious reactions from merely touching contaminated surfaces. Led by Dr. Idit Lachover-Roth at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, the large-scale trial found that accidental skin contact with common allergenic foods like milk, peanuts, and tree nuts does not trigger anaphylaxis or other systemic allergic reactions in children.
The study involved patch testing on 293 children aged one to 18, with 83.7% experiencing no reaction at all. Only 15% developed mild localized skin irritation, and just three had a moderate reaction limited to the tested arm. The findings, published in Acta Paediatrica, suggest that while younger children are more prone to minor skin reactions, the risk of a life-threatening allergic response remains extremely low.
Experts caution that many kindergarten restrictions unfairly limit children's activities and diets, and recommend that parents continue to educate teachers about their children's allergies to ensure proper care.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
