Dietary Regimens for Atopic Dermatitis in Childhood

Double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) in selected children with atopic dermatitis have clearly shown that some of these children have allergic reactions to food. Sampson, for example, administered selected foods in doses of 8 g or less, and in sensitive subjects this provoked an immediate (within 2 h) itchy erythematous macular rash, accompanied by a significant rise in the plasma histamine concentrationl-3. It is known that atopic dermatitis can worsen following exposure to allergic (e.g. foods, pet animals) or non-allergic (e.g. heat, skin contact with wool) triggers. The question arises as to whether these triggers cause dermatitis or simply worsen pre-existing dermatitis. The role of food allergy in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is discussed by Sampson on page 2 in this supplement. The present review focuses on the different dietary approaches to the management of atopic dermatitis in childhood.