Potential efficacy of low metal diets and dental metal elimination in the management of atopic dermatitis: an open clinical study

J Dermatol. 1997 Jan;24(1):12-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.1997.tb02732.x.

Abstract

We performed an open clinical study on the effects of low metal diets and/or dental metal elimination on 27 patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD), who showed positive patch tests for metal allergens and/or clinical exacerbation by oral provocation tests with metal salts. All the patients were recommended to ingest low metal diets for 3 months and/or undergo dental metal elimination. Marked or moderate improvement was noted in 18 patients (67%); 7 patients (26%) showed marked improvement and 11 patients (41%), moderate improvement. Nine patients (33%) showed minimal improvement or no change. In the patients who showed marked or moderate improvement, we observed statistically significant decreases (p < 0.05) in both peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum LDH levels after 3 months of treatment. The present study suggests that restriction of ingested metal allergens to which patients have positive patch tests and/or oral challenge tests may be useful in the management of some patients with AD who have metal sensitivity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Allergens / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Dental Alloys* / adverse effects
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / blood
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / diet therapy
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / therapy*
  • Eosinophils / pathology
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / diet therapy
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / blood
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Metals / administration & dosage*
  • Metals / adverse effects
  • Patch Tests
  • Remission Induction

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Dental Alloys
  • Metals
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase