LONDON — People with allergic conditions such as hay fever, eczema, and rhinitis may be at a lower risk of catching COVID-19, according to a new study. A team of 34 British scientists found allergy sufferers who also have asthma were less likely to contract the potentially deadly virus.

In a surprising twist, the researchers found being older, male, or having underlying conditions did not raise the risk of infection — a contrary finding to other studies. Allergy-related conditions such as hay fever and eczema, which are triggered by allergens, were associated with a 23-percent lower risk of coronavirus infection.

People with both an atopic condition and asthma were 38 percent less likely to get sick during the pandemic. The findings held up even after scientists factored in the use of steroid inhalers.

Those taking immunosuppressants to dampen down overactive immune system reactions (a cause of allergies) were 53 percent less likely to contract COVID. However, researchers say this could be because many immunocompromised people have been sheltering at home for much of the pandemic.

Age, sex, other medical conditions, diet and supplement use did not affect the risks either way. Researchers also found Asians were more than twice as likely to test positive for COVID as white people.