Stigmata of atopic constitution in patients with atopic eczema or atopic respiratory disease

In the diagnosis of atopic eczema, minor physical markers (stigmata) frequently provide valuable clues. The prevalence of nine stigmata (dry skin, hyperlinearity of the palms or soles, infraorbital fold, white dermographism, facial pallor, orbital darkening, Hertoghe's sign, low hairline) was evaluated in 34 atopic eczema patients without atopic respiratory disease, in 16 patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma without atopic eczema, and in 23 controls without atopic respiratory or eczematous disease, and with negative results at prick testing with three common aeroallergens. Compared with controls, all features except Hertoghe's sign were significantly (p<0.01) more frequent in atopic eczema, and, except for Hertoghe's sign, dry skin and white dermographism, they were significantly (low hairline, p<0.05; others, p<0.01) more frequent also in respiratory disease. The prevalence of most stigmata did not differ significantly (p>0.05) in cutaneous vs. respiratory atopic disease, only dry skin being more frequent in atopic eczema (p<0.05). Although not specific, most stigmata are characteristic markers not only of atopic eczema, but of atopy as such.