Erythrodermic Atopic Dermatitis Associated with Dust Mite and Alternaria alternata in an Eight-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

Abstract

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin characterised by itching, recurrent lesions, and lichenification. Erythroderma also known as generalised exfoliative dermatitis, is characterised by erythema that covers more than 90% of the body’s surface. These erythematic lesions are much more prone to infection. In present case, an eight-year-old girl presented with a chief complaint of rashes all over the body with severe itching from two years presented to the Allergy and Asthma Centre. She had positive history of atopy and multiple septicaemia-related hospitalisations since last two years. Skin biopsy leads the diagnosis of Spongiotic Dermatitis consistent with Erythroderma secondary to AD. Multiple allergies, including those to dust mites (DP der p2, p21, DF der f2) and Alternaria alternata (alt 1), were identified by Component-Resolved Diagnosis (CRD). Cyclosporin’s, Omalizumab (a monoclonal antibody against immunoglobulin E), and allergen-specific sublingual immunotherapy were given for the management and all gave excellent results in the patient. AD can be properly diagnosed and treated in its early stages, breaking the cycle that leads to severe erythroderma. To fully comprehend the molecular and immunological genesis of these allergic types, more research is required.

Keywords

• allergic reaction
• chronic inflammation
• erythroderma
• house dust mite
• immunotherapy