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64 patients participated in this study. 24 were patients who had positive patch tests to balsam of Peru. The dermatitis of 9 of the patients had flared after open oral challenge with balsam of Peru, and the dermatitis of 31 patients had flared after double-blind oral challenge. All 64 patients were asked to avoid food items suspected of containing balsams for 1 to 2 months. At the end of that time, an evaluation of the diet trial was made; the dermatitis of 37 had cleared or improved markedly. If an improvement had taken place, the patient was asked to continue to diet moderately, 6 months to 3 years after the diet was indicated, a questionnaire was mailed to those patients whose dermatitis had improved after the first trial. The patients were asked to evaluate the long-term benefit of following the diet, 30 felt there was a long-term effect, and 27 still followed the diet instructions to some degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]