Newer Concepts of Atopic Dermatitis

Rajka, Georg

Abstract

Changes of older concepts on atopic dermatitis(AD) include : morphological aspects as terminology, primary role of itch, the rate of atopic versus seborrheic eczema. In the mechanism '. role of inflammatory mediators other than histamine, on atopic factors as the significance of IgE, late phase reaction, modern technique for prick testing, interpretation of skin tests and especially immune imbalance and basic immunobiochemical traits of the disease. Newer interpretation of the cause of AD including,mostly by twin studies investigated hereditary as well as environmental factors. Of the latter inhalants causing contact reactions and newer look on food allergy a.nd the role of staphylocorci will be mentioned. Of the non-immune factors important ro)e is attributed to the dryness of skin, and the variability of vascular responses is show n. The basic traits are summarized emphasizing the role of itch and a new definition of the disease will be proposed. I,astly certain changes in therapeutical principles will be stressed.