Elemental diet in the management of severe eczema in childhood.

Eight children with severe, generalized, childhood eczema, uncontrolled by standard dermatological treatment, underwent a period of dietary antigen-avoidance, using an elemental based diet. For the group, there was statistically significant improvement in eczema during treatment with the elemental diet, and relapse of eczema followed within 6 weeks of returning to a normal diet. The results suggest dietary factors are important in childhood eczema.