title: Clinical improvement after unusual avoidance measures in the home of an atopic dermatitis patient.
abstract: A 27-year-old female office clerk with widespread atopic dermatitis (AD) since infancy appeared to be highly sensitized and exposed to molds, storage mites, and chicken feathers and moderately sensitized to house-dust mites and grass and birch pollens. Hardly any textiles were present in her home; that is, only 28 m2, which is less than 25% of the Dutch national average. The causal relationship between eczema and molds plus storage mites in this case of AD was strengthened by the positive effect of an unusual, multidisciplinary home-sanitation program involving cleaning of mineral surfaces and ventilation improvement. This home-sanitation program led to a gradual drop of total IgE and clinical symptom scores to 21% and 13%, respectively, of the original values.
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Task Group Home and Health, Utrecht State University Medical School, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kort
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Koers
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Nes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vorenkamp
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Wolfs
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: van Bronswijk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006794:Household Articles; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008925:Mites; D012499:Sanitation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D007073:Immunoglobulin E