Pollen aggravates atopic dermatitis in patients with allergic rhino conjunctivitis.

It is not uncommon for eczematous skin to 'flare' during the high pollen season. This is nicely demonstrated in the presentation below.

Cedar pollen aggravates atopic dermatitis in patients with allergic rhino conjunctivitis. A 7-year-old monozygotic twin patients with atopic dermatitis. Both serum IgE levels and cedar pollen RAST scores were high in the twins (elder/younger sister: IgE: 5170/3980IU/ml and Japanese cedar pollen: >100/64.0) in contrast to low mite and food RAST scores. The patients showed positive immediate (20 min in both sisters) and delayed (24 hours in elder sister, 24, 48, 72 hours in younger sister) reactions to a scratch test with Japanese cedar pollen. Skin lesions on the face were aggravated and extended to the trunk and extremities during the Japanese cedar pollen season and gradually subsided in summer. Oral provocation with egg white or cow milk showed no exacerbations, and topical corticosteroid did not improve the eczema. In contrast, successful protection from severe scratching behaviors was achieved by use of topical anti-allergic eye drops and wearing nightgowns made by the mother.


Murakami Y, Matsui S, Kijima A, Kitaba S, Murota H, Katayama I.
Cedar pollen aggravates atopic dermatitis in childhood monozygotic twin patients with allergic rhino conjunctivitis.
Allergol Int 2011 Mar 25;