Patch testing with egg represents a useful integration to diagnosis of egg allergy in children with atopic dermatitis

Pediatr Dermatol. 2005 Mar-Apr;22(2):109-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2005.22202.x.

Abstract

Our aim was to investigate atopy patch and skin prick test reactions to egg in 85 children with atopic dermatitis, and to evaluate their relevance by performing repeated open challenges with egg. Thirty-one percent of our patients showed an eczematous response to the challenge. Positive reactions to atopy patch and skin prick tests were recorded in 37% and 19%, respectively. Atopy patch test sensitivity proved significantly higher than that of skin prick test (79.6% vs. 46.2%), whereas specificity was lower (81.4% vs. 93.2%). Our data suggest that combined skin prick and patch testing improves screening for egg allergy in affected children, identifying 92% of those who were challenge positive among our patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / complications*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / pathology
  • Egg Hypersensitivity / diagnosis*
  • Egg Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Egg White / adverse effects
  • Egg Yolk / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Patch Tests / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Tests / methods