USE AND ABUSE OF CORTICOTROPIN (ACTH) AND CORTISONE IN ALLERGIC CONDITIONS

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Abstract
ACTH and cortisone do not change the underlying allergic state, and the large majority of allergic individuals do not require these hormones because good therapy based on a careful allergy survey usually gives excellent results. ACTH and cortisone are to be used promptly in the occasional case in which death seems imminent, e.g., severe asthma, angioneurotic edema, and exfoliative dermatitis. Excellent results were obtained in 8 patients of this type. Hormones are also indicated for other allergic individuals when the usual measures have failed. In 50 asthmatics, excellent results were obtained in 16, with improvement in another 26. Results were also excellent in both seasonal and nonseasonal rhinitis, but self-admn. of cortisone is a danger in this group, Results in various types of dermatitis are temporary at best. Relapse usually occurs when hormones are stopped. Side effects occurred in 11 of 85 patients, with edema, peptic ulcer, and discovery of tubercle bacilli in the sputum as the most important. The hormones are valuable when it is necessary to lessen symptoms so that accurate skin tests can be carried out.