Paracetamol and antibiotics increase the risk of atopic dermatitis

As shown by a study by Spanish scientists, when taking infants paracetamol and antibiotics increases the risk of atopic dermatitis in older age.

Dr. Luis Garcia-Marcos of the University of Murcia, say that at present the accuracy is unknown whether the increased risk of drugs called themselves of infection, in which they are used, or something else .

The link between paracetamol and asthma is shown for both children and adults, but previous attempts to figure out how to influence the development of atopic dermatitis receiving paracetamol and antibiotics, have produced conflicting results. "It also is complicated by the fact that children who are given paracetamol from the heat, often simultaneously receive and antibiotics," - says Dr. Garcia-Marcos.

We used data from 13 900 children aged 6-7 years who participated in the International study of allergic reactions and asthma in children (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) in Spain. Of these, 7% had atopic dermatitis place.

It was found that children who received the first year of life acetaminophen, the risk of atopic dermatitis increased by 56%, and those receiving antibiotics - up to 66%, and the results did not depend on whether one child at the same time, and other drugs.

It is curious that in children with asthma or seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis results were somewhat different. If in infancy they were given paracetamol, but not antibiotics, the risk of atopic dermatitis did not increase, but the reception and paracetamol, and antibiotics increased the risk even more than children not suffering from these diseases.

"Nevertheless, we can not exclude the possibility that this reaction does not provoke the antibiotics and the infection," - said Dr. Garcia-Marcos.

"Paracetamol - a very safe drug, it is used for many years, not watching with serious side effects, but the parents, fearful of atopic dermatitis, can replace it with ibuprofen," - he said.

"In order to estimate the risk more precisely controlled, randomized trials would be required - adds the scientist. - In the meantime, the main conclusion we can draw from the study is this: the events occurring in early childhood may have consequences later."