Oral and topical sodium cromoglicate in the treatment of diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis in an infant.

[cutaneous mastocytosis]

Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM ) is a rare , severe , variant of cutaneous mastocytosis . The authors report the case of a male infant who developed maculae and maculopapulae on his legs and abdomen when aged 3 .5 months , which spread to all body surfaces within weeks . Diagnosis of DCM was made at the age of 6 months when he had developed extensive bullous eruptions , generalised pruritus , flushing and abdominal pain . Treatment was started with oral dimethindine maleate . At the age of 18 months , oral sodium cromoglicate (SCG ) was introduced . At the age of 23 months , additional treatment was started with a cutaneous emulsion containing 4 % SCG . Continued treatment with oral dimethindine maleate , oral SCG with the dose maintained at 25 mg /kg /day , and SCG 4 % cutaneous emulsion applied two to four times daily has resulted in a steady improvement of symptoms and skin appearance .