Allergic dermal respiratory syndrome in children.

THE ALLERGIC dermal-respiratory syndrome may be defined as a symptom complex in which both dermal (urticaria, eczema) and respiratory (perennial rhinitis, hay fever, asthma) manifestations of allergy occur in the same patient, either synchronously or at different periods. It is the purpose of this paper to analyze a series of cases in children, first, to point out the importance of the dermalrespiratory syndrome by showing the frequency of its occurrence and, second, to indicate how the development of the respiratory aspects of the syndrome may be predicted and prevented or minimized by appropriate early treatment. The data to be analyzed are from 750 cases seen in clinic and private practice over a number of years. The records were taken consecutively from the files, the only criteria being that the patient was allergic and had been completely studied. Complete studies include skin tests for foods as well as inhalant substances. Of