Clinical improvement after unusual avoidance measures in the home of an atopic dermatitis patient

Allergy. 1993 Aug;48(6):468-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1993.tb00747.x.

Abstract

A 27-year-old female office clerk with widespread atopic dermatitis (AD) since infancy appeared to be highly sensitized and exposed to molds, storage mites, and chicken feathers and moderately sensitized to house-dust mites and grass and birch pollens. Hardly any textiles were present in her home; that is, only 28 m2, which is less than 25% of the Dutch national average. The causal relationship between eczema and molds plus storage mites in this case of AD was strengthened by the positive effect of an unusual, multidisciplinary home-sanitation program involving cleaning of mineral surfaces and ventilation improvement. This home-sanitation program led to a gradual drop of total IgE and clinical symptom scores to 21% and 13%, respectively, of the original values.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Allergens*
  • Animals
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / prevention & control*
  • Dust*
  • Female
  • Household Articles*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Mites*
  • Sanitation*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Dust
  • Immunoglobulin E