On top of all this, several other studies published this year suggest that exposure to tuberculosis protects against atopy.

ECONOMIST: Plagued by cures

TB, unlike those against measles, also contribute to protection from atopy is unresolved.

ECONOMIST: Plagued by cures

If you do not know whether your child has atopy, check your family's medical history, since such allergies are often genetic.

CNN: HEALTH

They found that atopy a fancy name for allergic reactions including asthma, eczema and hay-fever was significantly more common among those children who had not had measles.

ECONOMIST: Plagued by cures

There is also a method that's not widespread called the atopy patch test, which involves wearing a pad containing the possible allergen for about 48 hours.

CNN: Food allergy diagnosis 'an inexact science'

TB, the weaker the response to tests for atopy.

ECONOMIST: Plagued by cures

Two recent studies in Italy one of 2, 226 schoolchildren and one of 1, 659 male college students found that atopy is less prevalent among poorer people, and among those with big families or who grow up in unsanitary surroundings.

ECONOMIST: Plagued by cures