Egg and milk exclusion diets in atopic eczema

Fifty-three patients with atopic eczema took part in a double blind controlled cross-over trial of an egg and cow's milk exclusion diet. Response to the diet was assessed in terms of areas affected, day and night time itch, and topical steroid usage. Twenty-five percent of the patients failed to comply adequately with the trial regime and were excluded from the analysis. Of the remaining 40 patients, ten appeared to benefit from the diet and were advised to continue egg and milk avoidance. This response rate to the diet was not statistically significant.