[The mite-free room (MFR) for the management of atopic dermatitis: living in the MFR improved first the itch and then the dermatitis].

While there are increasing data supporting the view that mite allergen sensitivity is one of the major causes of atopic dermatitis (AD) as well as asthma, it is practically difficult to avoid house dust allergens as part of the management of AD. Therefore, we served a conditioned room in which mites were eliminated to the level less than 3 mites/m2, named mite free room (MFR) for experimental treatment of AD to evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of the mite-free condition. Thirteen relatively severe patients with high-IgE RAST score to the mite allergens were treated with night time admission to the MFR without disturbing their social activities in the day time. Our MFR treatment gave eleven of the thirteen patients relief from itch and dermatitis within 2 to 3 weeks, yet they stayed average only 11 hours a day in the MFR. These results may provide a possible candidate in the treatment of AD instead of topical and/or systemic medicines of which prolonged usage is sometimes associated with adverse side effects.