An international research team led by the University of Dundee, Scotland, has identified a defective gene that increases the risk of peanut allergy in children.
According to reports, scientists from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands, have discovered the gene filaggrin to be linked with allergic reaction.
Filaggrin, which provides the skin a good barrier against irritants and allergens, is already known to be an important factor causing eczema and asthma. The study has found changes in the gene lead to decrease in the effectiveness of the barrier allowing allergy-causing substances to enter the body.