In a report published by Lukkarinen et al in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, using data from six birth cohorts, researchers concluded that greenness around the home (ie, proximity to parks, forests, and agricultural areas) did not offer protection from eczema from birth to age 2 years. With a trend in rising rates of allergic diseases, exposure to nature in childhood has been touted as a potential solution to curb these conditions. In contrast, the research team found that growing up near a coniferous or mixed forest may actually increase the risk of eczema; in addition, being born during the spring—the peak season for pollen production—and in close proximity to a forest or other high-green area may also raise eczema risk. In a companion press release on the findings issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, first author Minna Lukkarinen, MD, commented, “General greenness around the home did not protect children against eczema, which was contrary to our expectations and to the hypothesized allergy protective effect of nature contacts. Eczema is, however, only one of the allergic diseases in children albeit generally the first to emerge.” The study authors noted that further research is needed to confirm these findings and to begin to dig into the possible mechanisms underlying these relationships.
May 24, 2023