Food Allergens Detected in Air and Beds of Children: BSACI 2026

FOOD ALLERGENS were detected in household air and bed dust across 62 homes of children with eczema, food allergies, and respiratory allergies, according to research presented at the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) Meeting. Milk and egg allergens were among the most frequently detected, with findings highlighting potential exposure beyond direct food consumption and the need to investigate their role in allergic sensitisation and respiratory symptoms.

Food Allergens Found in Household Environments

Researchers investigated airborne and reservoir exposure to indoor and food allergens in children’s homes. Air samples were collected from kitchens and bedrooms over a single 7-day period, while bed dust was collected using vacuum sampling. Ten allergens, including house dust mite, mouse, cat, dog, milk, egg, peanut, cashew, and carp, were assessed using multiplex assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

All 10 allergens were detected in air and reservoir samples. Milk and egg were the most abundant, followed by house dust mite, cat, cashew, and mouse allergens.

Milk and Egg Were Most Frequently Detected

Milk allergen was detected in bedroom air in 56 of 62 homes (90.3%), kitchen air in 52 of 62 homes (83.9%), and bed dust in 53 of 56 samples (94.6%). Egg allergen was detected in bedroom air in 52 of 62 homes (83.9%), kitchen air in 55 of 62 homes (88.7%), and bed dust in 45 of 56 samples (80.4%).

Milk, egg, and house dust mite allergens were present at the highest levels across the sampled environments. In kitchen air, the highest median concentrations were recorded for egg at 12 ng/filter, milk at 9.1 ng/filter, and house dust mite at 2.6 ng/filter. In bedroom air, egg and milk remained prominent, with median concentrations of 6.64 ng/filter and 5.89 ng/filter, respectively. Bed dust also contained measurable levels of milk, egg, and house dust mite allergens.

Implications for Allergy Research

Interestingly, children with food allergies had lower bed-dust exposure to milk, egg, and peanut allergens than children without food allergies. These differences were statistically significant for milk (p<0.0013), egg (p=0.013), and peanut (p=0.0021). However, airborne exposure in kitchens and bedrooms did not differ significantly between the groups (p>0.5).

The findings demonstrate that food allergens can be present in household air and bedding, including in environments where children sleep. However, the study did not establish whether these exposures cause allergic sensitisation or worsen symptoms.

The researchers concluded that further investigation is needed to determine whether exposure through the skin contributes to sensitisation and whether airborne food allergens affect allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or asthma.

Reference

Gore C et al. Food allergens including milk, egg, peanut, cashew and fish are detectable in the air and beds of children with eczema, food allergies and respiratory allergy. Abstract A180. BSACI Meeting, 11-13 October, 2026.