Provocation with cow's milk and cereals in atopic dermatitis.

Oral provocation test with cow's milk and cereals were performed in 81 children with atopic dermatitis, all below 5 years of age. In 15 of the children exacerbation of the dermatitis occurred on the second or third day after initiation of the tests. These patients, whose mean age was 13 months, underwent repeated provocation during the ensuring 18 months. Eleven children lost their sensitivity to the offending foods and 2 children became more tolerant during this period. Initial levels of serum IgE and specific reagins against the foods tested did not distinguish those patients who were positive to the provocation tests. In this group, however, reagins against egg white were significantly increased. The specific serum reagins were unaltered or increased in the majority of cases during the period of study. The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was found of limited value as a screening tool in patients with atopic dermatitis in whom exacerbation of the condition appears to be caused by food sensitivity.