Evaluation of cow's milk allergy in a large group of adolescent and adult patients with atopic dermatitis.

UNLABELLED: Few studies concerning the occurrence of cow's milk allergy with the use of double-blind, placebo controlled food challenge test in adolescents and adult patients suffering from atopic dermatitis exist.

AIM: To evaluate the occurrence of cow's milk allergy in adolescents and adults suffering from atopic dermatitis.

METHOD: Altogether 179 persons suffering from atopic dermatitis were included in the study: 51 men and 128 women entered the study with the average age of 26.2 (s.d. 9.5 years). Complete dermatological and allergological examinations were performed.

RESULTS

The positive results in specific IgE and in skin prick tests were recorded in 12% of patients. According to the open exposure tests and double-blind, placebo controlled food challenge tests these patients are only sensitized to cow's milk without clinical symptoms of allergy. Double-blind, placebo controlled food challenge test confirmed food allergy to cow milk only in one patient (worsening of atopic dermatitis), the oral allergy syndrome was observed in another one patient, occurrence of this allergy was altogether 1.1%.

CONCLUSION

Cow's milk allergy rarely plays a role in the worsening of atopic dermatitis in adolescent and adult patients.