Chronic Acral Dermatitis
Association With Extreme Elevations of IgE
- Richard K. Winkelmann, MD;
- Gerald J. Gleich, MD
Abstract
Three patients with a pruritic, papulovesicular, and keratotic dermatitis of the hands, feet, and extremities had markedly elevated serum IgE levels up to 100,000 ng/ml. There was no personal or family history of atopic disease. A variety of immunologic, physiologic, and pharmacologic studies of the skin had normal results. Mast cells were observed in large numbers in the dermis and even in the epidermis. The course of this unique dermatitis is chronic, lasting many years, and it is resistant to all treatments except administration of corticosteroid drugs.
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55901 (Dr. Winkelmann).
