THE ROLE OF FOOD ALLERGENS IN ATOPIC-DERMATITIS

This review summarizes results of clinical studies and experimental results on a possible pathogenetic role for food allergens in atopic dermatitis (AD). Most studies investigating the effect of elimination diets on AD were performed with children. These studies suggest that certain foods cause deterioration of AD in a subpopulation of children. Some children develop an exanthema within a few hours upon challenge with milk, eggs or nuts. Late eczematous skin reactions have been less often observed. Early skin reactions are associated with the presence of specific serum IgE to food allergen, late reactions may however occur in the absence of specific IgE. The present results suggest that CD4+ Th1-like food-allergen-specific T-lymphocytes may be involved in the eczematous late phase skin reaction of those patients whose AD worsens after ingestion of certain food allergens.