Atopic dermatitis in children.

A 7-year-old girl presented with atopic dermatitis (AD) that did not respond to standard therapy. She was avoiding dairy, egg, and wheat in her diet because of a history of skin flares. Her weight gain was poor, and laboratory test results showed low iron and zinc levels. Over the previous 6 months, she had been prescribed numerous courses of antibiotics, but, despite this, she continued to have secondary skin infections as well as deep circumscribed erosions on her shins. She was awake much of the night because of scratching and displayed repetitive and habitual behavior. She also had troublesome allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with positive allergy testing results to house dust mite. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from her skin, which was successfully treated with appropriate antibiotics and flares controlled with topical antiseptics and better personal and caregiver hygiene. Although milk, egg, and wheat specific IgE were raised, these foods were successfully reintroduced back into her diet with improvement of her nutritional status and no flare of her AD. In view of her habitual behavior and family history of obsessive compulsive disorder, she underwent cognitive behavioral therapy, and her general well-being, sleep, and ulcers over her shins improved. Despite high house dust mite-specific IgE, house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy led to no additional improvement in her AD although it did improve her rhinitis. Although there may be no "quick fixes" in patients with AD, the clinician should be aware of antimicrobial, allergen, and educational and/or behavioral interventions, which may greatly improve eczema severity and the patient's well-being.