According to a report released by British researchers today, those who suffer from eczema are at a higher risk of having peanut and food allergies.

Dr. Graham Roberts a pediatric allergist at King’s College London said,

“We were shocked to find out that even in the first year of life, over 20% of infants with eczema already were sensitized [showed susceptibility] to peanut allergy, but we didn’t know how early the peanut allergy started; we thought may start at 3, 4, or 5 years of age.”

Roberts told WebMD that by the time they enter school, children with eczema have a high rate of peanut allergies.

Eczema is a form of dermatitis that results in dryness and recurring skin rashes that are characterized by redness, skin swelling, itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, and even oozing or bleeding.

According to WebMD,

The study involved 640 infants aged 4-11 months with eczema.

The researchers measured blood levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), an immune system protein the body makes in response to allergens. A positive result means a person is sensitive to and likely to be allergic to a certain food.

The results showed:

* 23% of the infants were sensitive to peanuts.
* 31% were sensitive to cow’s milk.
* 22% were sensitive to sesame.
* 16% were sensitive to Brazil nuts.
* 20% were sensitive to hazel nuts.
* 21% were sensitive to cashews.
* 14% were sensitive to almonds.

Sixteen percent of the infants tested positive for more than four foods.

The study plans to take those babies that suffer from eczema and have peanut sensitivities and split them into two groups, one group will have peanuts in their diets and the other group will not. The researchers then plan to compare the rate of peanut allergies in the two groups after three to four years.

While it is yet to be determined if immunity to food allergies can be developed early on in life, there are many different affective treatments for those who suffer from eczema. Luckily medications such as DesOwen, Elidel, Elocon, Imuran, Topicort, and Ultravate have all been found effective to treat those who suffer from this irritating condition.

Hopefully this new study will shed light on the subject and allow a remedy to be found.

A study today has revealed that antidepressants may be able to help restore memory skills and cognitive function that have been effected due to stroke.

Escitalopram (trade names Lexapro, Cipralex), was linked to to improved cognitive functioning in a group of stroke patients that did not suffer from symptoms of depression.

According to the LA Times,

Previous research showed antidepressants were associated with improved cognitive functioning in stroke patients who were given the drug because they were depressed. The new study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry and funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, assessed the effect of cognitive functioning in 129 stroke patients who were not depressed.

Participants were treated within three months of the stroke in one of three ways: a low dose — 5 to 10 milligrams — of escitalopram, a placebo pill or problem-solving therapy but no medication. (The standard dose of escitalopram, also known by the brand name Lexapro, for treating depression is 20 milligrams.)

After one year, the group on escitalopram had higher scores on tests assessing thinking, learning and memory functions as well as ones testing verbal and visual memory. The group treated with medication also had greater improvements in activities related to daily living.

There is currently only a few treatments that can help lessen the after effects of a stroke. The study is still a ways from finding out if it would be a suitable option. Larger test groups must be done and doctors must also find out what risks would be involved.