19 Apr 2018 --- Food allergy is triggered by perfect storm of genetics and skin exposure to infant wipes, dust and food, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study. Infant and childhood food allergy, whose cause has long been a mystery, has now been linked to a mix of environmental and genetic factors that must coexist to trigger the allergy. The factors contributing to food allergy include the genetics that alter skin absorbency, use of infant cleansing wipes that leave soap on the skin, skin exposure to allergens in dust and skin exposure to food from those providing infant care. Food allergy is triggered when these factors occur together.