Atopic dermatitis associated with dermatophyte infection and Trichophyton hypersensitivity.

An atopic patient with tinea unguium, immediate hypersensitivity to Trichophyton, and elevated specific IgE antibody to Trichophyton had recalcitrant hand and foot eczema that resolved following the administration of systemic antifungal therapy for her tinea unguium. The patient fulfills criteria for the atopic-chronic-dermatophytosis syndrome described by Jones. The authors suggest that the patient's atopic dermatitis may have been exacerbated by her chronic dermatophyte infection and Trichophyton hypersensitivity.