Elimination diet in young children with atopic dermatitis.

Thirteen children with severe current atopic dermatitis unresponsive to topical treatment were started on an elimination diet. One child was excluded because she could only keep to the diet for 3 days. Twelve children aged 0.8-4.1 years maintained the diet for 2-4 weeks. In six children the dermatologist's score showed a clear improvement while on diet, in 2 children there was a minor improvement and in 4 children the dermatologist's score did not change during elimination diet. Challenges were performed with egg, milk and wheat in 6 children and with milk and wheat in 2 children. The challenges were done in an open way except for the dermatologist, who was unaware of which food the child had received. No child in the study had an immediate reaction but 3 children had late reactions, one after egg, one after milk and one child after challenge with wheat.