[Allergologic survey in 251 patients with moderate or severe dermatitis. Incidence and value of the detection of contact eczema, food allergy or sensitization to air-borne allergens].

INTRODUCTION: Because of the increased recruitment of uncontrolled atopic dermatitis (AD) necessitating chronic use of dermocorticosteroids, we developed a prospective allergologic survey in a serie of 251 patients presenting with moderate or severe AD.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: 251 patients were refered for allergologic assessment and followup. The clinical severity was assessed by use of standardized scores. Patients were grouped by age: group 1 (70 children younger than 2 years), group 2 (93 children between 2 and 7 years), group 3 (23 children between 7 and 15 years), group 4 (65 children over 15 years and adults). All the patients were systematically screened for contact dermatitis and IgE mediated sensitization (inhallant and food allergens) with blood tests for IgE, prior to evaluation of clinical relevance.

RESULTS: Aero-allergen sensitization was demonstrated in 51 p. 100 of children and 89 p. 100 of adults. It was present earlier in severe AD with main clinical involvement for nose and throat and respiratory symptoms. Clinical responsibility for dermatitis was documented in only 6 p. 100 of AD. Food allergy was early incriminated as flare factors in most of severe AD (96 p. 100 of children and 81 p. 100 of adults) with major and persistant improvement under eviction diet. Main allergens were eggs (46 p. 100), pea-nuts (29 p. 100), shellfish (24 p. 100), milk (20 p. 100), flour (14 p. 100), fish (14 p. 100), soybeans (8.9 p. 100). Food allergy to yeasts (7.2 p. 100) was important in adults. Food allergy is the earliest allergy in the course of severe AD and the number of involved trophallergens increases in older patients. Patch tests were positive in 40 p. 100 of patients (i. e. 31 p. 100 of children and 66 p. 100 of adults) with a greater incidence in moderate AD. Main allergens were metals (54 p. 100), fragrances (19 p. 100), balsam of Peru (10 p. 100), parabens (8 p. 100) and lanoline (4 p. 100).

CONCLUSION: When AD is not efficiently controlled by dermocorticosteroids, allergologic screening and treatment of children and adults proves to be very interesting. Specific measures regarding food allergy and contact dermatitis reduce or vanish cutaneous flares. As for inhallant sensitizations, Dermatologists should be awared that they may play a role regarding assessment of sensitization and prevention of respiratory symptoms in moderate and severe AD since the risk of complications is important in both groups.