The TIGER study is aiming to find out whether changes to the diet of children with eczema, based on the results of food allergy tests, improves their eczema control or not.
Background and aims
As you may be aware, eczema is common in children and causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin. Symptoms tend to come and go, and there are many reasons why a worsening or “flare” of eczema can happen. Many parents wonder whether a food allergy might be a cause, however there is currently no good research evidence to support this.
In the TIGER study, we want to find out whether making changes to the diet of children with eczema, based on the results of food allergy tests, improves eczema control or not. The foods we are looking at are cow’s milk, hen’s egg, wheat and soya.
Previous research into any link between food allergy and eczema symptoms is limited. This study is needed to help parents and doctors in the future know what is the best thing to do.
What does the trial involve?
To find out if food allergy testing can improve eczema control, we need to compare two groups in a randomised controlled trial:
Standard care group: Children in the standard care group will have normal care for their eczema from their GP plus our “Good eczema care” leaflet.
Dietary advice group: Children in the “dietary advice” group will receive the “Good eczema care” leaflet plus dietary advice based on food allergy tests.
If a child is put in the dietary advice group, they will have a skin prick test. This is when a solution containing the study foods to test are “pricked” into the skin. A few children may also be asked to attend hospital for a day, to make sure all study foods are safe to eat at home.
We will follow up everyone for 9 months from when they join the study.