MILK SENSITIVITY IN DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS

SUMMARY.– A case of dermatitis herpetiformis elicited by the intake of milk is described. A woman aged 30 had suffered from colic, loose stools and fatigue for 3 years. Investigation revealed a severe atrophy of the intestinal mucosa, increased faecal fat excretion, and impaired xylose absorption. On a glutenfree and almost milk-free diet the malabsorption improved, but it recurred during a period with increased milk intake; at the same time dermatitis herpetiformis developed. Following renewed milk elimination the dermatitis disappeared. On repeated provocation and elimination of milk the dermatitis herpetiformis reappeared and disappeared. During milk intake the gamma-G, gamma-A and gamma-M-globulin increased and, when milk was eliminated, they decreased. It is suggested, that in this patient the ingestion of milk provided an antigenic stimulus which was in some way concerned with the development of the skin lesions.