The study was designed as a double blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Twenty-three patients received 250-ml mare's milk or placebo orally for 16 consecutive weeks. Between the two intervention periods, a four week wash-out period without drinking any test substances was introduced. The intensity of AD was examined using the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), which was determined at the start of the study and after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of each intervention period. Blood samples were taken at the start of the study and subsequently after 8 and 16 weeks. Fresh stool samples were taken at the beginning of the study and at the end of each intervention period.