The study explored what could cause eczema in children and how environmental factors may influence genetic risk
“The study sheds light on why some children develop eczema in response to environmental exposures while others don’t,” one researcher said(Image: Getty)
Allergies currently affect an estimated 30 per cent of children in Scotland, and one of those allergies is atopic eczema. Eczema is an incurable, chronic skin condition causing itchy, dry, and inflamed skin.
Eczema is not contagious and can affect people of all ages. But while various treatments can help manage the symptoms, eczema can have an impact on a young person’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
However, pet owners may be in with a bit of luck, as having a dog at home could help to prevent eczema in children who are genetically prone to the condition, according to a new study.
A research team, including scientists from the UK, found that kids with a change in their DNA that increases their chance of developing eczema were less likely to have the condition if they were exposed to a dog in early life.
“The most difficult questions I’m asked by parents in clinic are about why their child has eczema, and how they can help,” said Professor Sara Brown, Institute of Genetics and Cancer.
Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that causes itchy skin(Image: Getty)
“We know that genetic make-up affects a child’s risk of developing eczema and previous studies have shown that owning a pet dog may be protective, but this is the first study to show how this may occur at a molecular level.
“Our findings mean we have a chance to intervene in the rise of allergic disease, to protect future generations.”
The international study team, led by scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh, Bristol, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Helmholtz Munich, examined data from almost 300,000 people to investigate whether those who are prone to developing eczema might respond differently to environmental factors.
Researchers tested for interactions between the 24 most significant eczema-associated genetic variants and 18 early life environmental factors during the mother’s pregnancy and the child’s first year of life.
An initial analysis of more than 25,000 individuals suggested there may be a relationship between seven environmental factors – dog ownership, elder sibling, cat ownership, breastfeeding, smoking, antibiotic use and washing practices – and at least one established genetic variant for eczema.
They then tried to replicate their findings in a larger group of almost 255,000 people.
Eczema is an itchy skin disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental effects(Image: Getty)
The strongest interaction found was between a region of DNA code that increased the risk of eczema.
But, incredibly, in children or babies whose families owned a pet dog, that risk disappeared.
The variation in genetic code was located near a gene for interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) – a protein involved in immune cell function and inflammation.
Lab tests confirmed that in human skin cells with the genetic variant, molecular signals from a dog that could trigger allergy instead worked to suppress skin inflammation.
The findings suggest that the IL-7R protein may provide a potential target for future treatment or prevention of eczema, experts say.
Scientists suggest that exposure to a variety of bacteria at an early age, by being around dogs and other kids, could be behind the protective effect. There are caveats to the study, though.
Those tested were largely from a white European background, so research with a more diverse group of people is needed.
What’s more, the study did not look at the effect of dogs in treating existing eczema, and experts caution that introducing a dog may make symptoms worse in some children.
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