Acne excoriata - Look for allergy!

Acne excoriata (AE) is a frequent variant of self-inflicted skin conditions , which occurs predominantly in females. The condition seems to be almost a lways found in persons with psychological problems. Therapeutic approaches are often unsatisfying since this special group of patients typically does not recover with dermatological treatment. We report a 37-year-old female p atient who had suffered for 5 years from AE. Exact history taking revealed that her manipulations were correlated with episodes of contact with bird p roducts like feathers and eggs. The diagnosis of a bird egg syndrome could be proved by skin prick tests (ALK Abello, Denmark) as well as laboratory r esults (CAP FEIA, Pharmacia,Sweden), and consequent avoidance of handling b ird products was the only but effective therapeutic measurement. In patient s with suspected artefactual diseases, we strongly recommend to listen to t he patients' complaints in order to make the correct diagnosis and not to o verlook a potential stimulus. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.