Personal Care Products Linked to Allergies in Children

A research by Johns Hopkins Children's Centre suggests a link between personal care products and allergies. The common antibacterial chemicals and preservatives found in soaps, sanitisers, toothpaste and other personal-care products could make children vulnerable to various food and environmental allergies.

Researchers assessed National Health Survey data of 860 children aged between 6 and 18. It was found that children with the highest urinary levels of preservatives with antimicrobial properties were more likely to have IgE antibodies. Children with the highest levels of the antibacterial agent triclosan were twice likely to have food allergies, whereas preservative propyl paraben doubled the chances of food allergy in children.

The study underlines antimicrobial properties of antibacterials and preservatives as a probable reason for decreased immunity to lead to allergies. The research was funded by National Institutes of Health Training, and was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

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