[Acne vulgaris: results of food allergen tests and a controlled elimination diet (author's transl)].

120 patients with acne vulgaris had to undergo an intracutaneous allergen test with 23 of the most important food allergens. The skin test results of 83 patients (69.2%) were negative, only 9 (7.4%) showed a distinct immediate reaction on four or more food extracts. Almonds showed the most positive reactions (11.6%), then malt (10%), cheese, mustard, red pepper (8.3% each), and wheaten flour (7.5%). Thereupon the patients were instructed to either keep no diet at all, or to follow an acne diet, or a special elimination diet based on the results of the skin test. Moreover, all the patients had to undergo the same mild acne local therapy. After 3 months treatment (with monthly controls) 45 patients could be evaluated. No statistical difference was found within the three groups with regard to the success of treatment. Diet prescriptions for acne vulgaris are generally not very significant, although they are possibly useful in individual cases.