Are oat creams not recommanded in children with atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is the first atopic symptom. Local treatment makes use of emollient cream. Oat cream extracts were suspected of causing sensitizatio n. This study was performed in 202 children with atopic dermatitis. Two sub groups were analysed: group 1, 105 children who had applied oat cream (Exom ega(R), Laboratoires Ducray, France) and group 2, 97 children who had never applied oat cream. Patch tests were positive for Rhealba(R) oat extract (t otal extract or protein fractions) in five cases (2.4%): three in group 1 a nd two in group 2. This result is clinically relevant in group 1, with incr eased eczema after use of Exomega(R). Oat oral food challenge was negative in three children with an oat-positive skin prick test. There was no statis tical difference between the two groups concerning age or positivity of oat tests and the results of other allergologic tests. Relevant oat cream alle rgy in children with atopic dermatitis concerned 1.4% of cases. These data suggest that emollient patch tests should be performed in children with ato pic dermatitis, in order to use or exclude emollient cream. Further studies are required to evaluate changes in oat sensitization in older children. ( C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.