Summary This study was undertaken to determine the proper use of skin tests with food extracts in diagnosis of hypersensitivity to food in children. Cutaneous reactions evoked by graded amounts of food extracts were compared with results of double‐blind food challenge and in vitro release of histamine from leucocytes. A 3 mm or greater weal reaction in skin tests by puncture technique using food extracts of 1:20 w/v concentration was found to indicate the degree of hypersensitivity likely to be associated with clinically significant hypersensitivity reactions to food. Proper use of this simple technique will facilitate accurate diagnosis of food hypersensitivity in children by identifying the group among whom all positive reactions to food challenges will be found. Nevertheless, double‐blind food challenge is essential to establish a diagnosis of symptomatic hypersensitivity to food.

Summary Seventy‐six children aged 5 months to 15 years who exhibited a net weal of 3.0 mm or greater to a puncture skin test with one or more of fourteen foods were subjected to double‐blind food challenge. Confirmed reactions to double‐blind food challenge were found to occur only with peanut, milk, egg and soybean. Puncture skin tests with 1:20 w/v concentration of food extracts identified all subjects who exhibited an adverse reaction during the double‐blind food challenge. Performance of intradermal skin tests did not identify any additional subjects who reacted clinically to double‐blind food challenge.

Thirty-four patients with decubitus ulcers were studied in a randomized trial to compare topical cadexomer iodine with the standard decubitus ulcer treatments used in the participating hospitals. There was a significant reduction of ulcer area with both treatments within three weeks; however, eight of 16 patients treated with cadexomer iodine had a reduction of ulcer area of more than 50 per cent, compared with one of 18 patients treated with the standard treatment (P less than 0.01). Twenty-seven patients continued the same treatment for five more weeks, during which time six in the cadexomer iodine group healed, compared with one in the standard treatment group (P less than 0.05). Cadexomer iodine was superior to the standard treatment in removing pus and debris from the ulcer surface and in reducing pain at the ulcer site. It was found to be easy both to apply and to remove from the ulcers and did not stain skin or clothing. Transient smarting during the first hour after application was reported by three patients, and one patient complained of skin irritation. The results show that cadexomer iodine applied daily has a debriding effect on decubitus ulcers and accelerates healing.