Israeli Study Finds Allergic Food Contact with Skin Poses Minimal Risk to Children

A new Israeli multicenter study involving 192 children with confirmed food allergies found that accidental contact of allergenic foods with intact skin does not trigger severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Conducted at Meir Medical Center and Schneider Children's Medical Center, the research tested exposure of children's arm skin to cow's milk, peanuts, eggs, sesame, nuts, and almonds for 15 minutes under medical supervision. In 84% of cases, no reaction occurred; 15% showed mild localized redness or swelling, and only three children developed more extensive skin reactions that resolved with antihistamine treatment. Importantly, no systemic or life-threatening allergic responses were observed.

Dr. Idit Lachover-Rot, head of the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit at Rambam, emphasized that the risk from skin contact with allergenic foods is "very low to negligible," offering reassurance to anxious families. However, the study did not examine contact with broken skin or mucous membranes, where risks might differ. The researchers stressed that current medical guidelines remain unchanged, including avoiding ingestion of allergens, carrying epinephrine injectors, and preventing oral exposure.

The Israeli Association for Allergy and Clinical Immunology welcomed the findings, highlighting that inhalation or skin contact with allergens does not cause anaphylaxis and that ingestion remains the primary risk route. They noted that this evidence can help shape safer and less restrictive public and educational policies for managing food allergies, aligning with international standards rather than more stringent Israeli practices. Dr. Lachover-Rot concluded that while maintaining existing precautions, families can reduce anxiety about accidental skin contact with allergens.