S3 Guidelines: Epicutaneous patch testing with contact allergens and drugs - Short version, Part 2.

Epicutaneous patch testing is the diagnostic standard for the detection of allergic contact dermatitis. The present guidelines are aimed at residents and board-certified physicians in the fields of dermatology and allergology as well as other medical specialties involved in establishing the indication for patch testing and its execution in patients with contact dermatitis and other forms of delayed-type hypersensitivity. The target audience also includes other health care providers and insurance funds.

S3 guidelines: Epicutaneous patch testing with contact allergens and drugs - Short version, Part 1.

Epicutaneous patch testing is the diagnostic standard for the detection of allergic contact dermatitis. The present guidelines are aimed at residents and board-certified physicians in the fields of dermatology and allergology as well as other medical specialties involved in establishing the indication for patch testing and its execution in patients with contact dermatitis and other forms of delayed-type hypersensitivity. The target audience also includes other health care providers and insurance funds.

Histomorphology and Immunophenotype of Eczematous Skin Lesions Revisited-Skin Biopsies Are Not Reliable in Differentiating Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Irritant Contact Dermatitis, and Atopic Dermatitis.

Lesions of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), and atopic dermatitis (AD) share similar clinical features and thus, their diagnosis can be challenging. The aim of this study was to reassess histopathology and immunophenotyping properties to distinguish between ACD, ICD, and AD. Charts of patients with eczema, who had undergone complete routine diagnostic workup (skin biopsies, patch tests, skin prick tests, and respectively or serum IgE levels), were reviewed.

Effects of structured patient education in adults with atopic dermatitis: Multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing skin disease prevalent in 1% to 3% of adults in Western industrialized countries.

Objective: We sought to investigate the effectiveness of educational training in an outpatient setting on coping with the disease, quality of life, symptoms, and severity in adults with AD.

Methods: In this German prospective, randomized controlled multicenter study, adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD were educated by referring to a comprehensive 12-hour training manual consented by a multiprofessional study group from different centers (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Neurodermitisschulung für Erwachsene [ARNE]).

A variant of the CXCL11 gene may influence susceptibility to contact allergy, particularly in polysensitized patients.

Background: Hereditary factors may influence individual susceptibility to contact allergy.

Objectives: To investigate genetic variants with impacts on early inflammatory reactions and T cell functions that possibly increase the risk of contact allergy.

Patients And Methods: Three hundred and seventy two patients undergoing patch testing were recruited from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK).

Epidemiological data on airborne contact dermatitis - results of the IVDK.

Background: Airborne contact dermatitis (AirbCD) is not uncommon, according to a large number of published case reports and review articles. Epidemiological data on AirbCD based on larger clinical samples have not yet been published.

Objectives: To investigate demographic characteristics and patch test reactivity in patients diagnosed with both occupational and non-occupational AirbCD.

Predictors of benefit from an atopic dermatitis education programme.

Background: Multidisciplinary, age-related, structured, group educational programmes for children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and their parents have shown positive long-term outcomes with respect to quality of life and coping behaviour of the participants. We aimed to identify predictors of favourable long-term outcome of an education measure for parents of children with AD aged 3 months to 7 years in the framework of The German Atopic Dermatitis Intervention Study (GADIS).

Methods: In an exploratory approach, the data of 274 child-parent pairs were analysed with respect to the influence of various somatic and psychological variables as possible predictors of treatment success.

Anxiety, depression and impaired health-related quality of life in patients with occupational hand eczema.

Background: Occupational hand eczema is one of the most frequent occupational diseases. Few data about the prevalence of mental comorbidities are available. Objectives.

Dermatological rehabilitation.

Chronic and chronically recurring diseases often cannot be treated causally and usually lead to a considerable impairment in social and occupational participation. In order to deal appropriately with such restrictions, a more comprehensive therapeutic approach is required in the sense of a bio-psychosocial model of disease and health which serves as the basis for modern dermatological rehabilitation. Multimodal, quality-controlled dermatological rehabilitation gives patients with chronic skin diseases a treatment option that goes beyond the primarily symptom-oriented outpatient care provided by office-based physicians and the acute care of inpatient facilities.

Occupational airborne contact allergy to tetrazepam in a geriatric nurse.

A 52-year-old geriatric nurse presented with recurrent eczema localized in uncovered skin areas. Patch testing produced an eczematous skin reaction with type IV sensitization totetrazepam. A relapse of contact dermatitis was successfully prevented by using occupational skin protection measures and organizational measures.

Staphylococcus aureus-derived enterotoxins enhance house dust mite-induced patch test reactions in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Up to 65% of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) produce exotoxins with superantigenic properties that may also act as allergens leading to an induction of exotoxin-specific IgE antibodies. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) applied epicutaneously in a concentration of 10 micro g/cm(2), i.e.

Allergic manifestations of skin diseases--atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which often becomes manifest in early infancy and is characterized by itchy eczematous lesions with characteristic localization. The cellular infiltrate of allergic eczematous skin diseases (i.e.

Safety and efficacy of topical calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis.

Approximately 10-20% of infants in industrialized countries experience atopic dermatitis. In recent decades topical corticosteroids have been the first-choice therapy for treatment of flares. However, this form of therapy may induce skin atrophy, especially after application to facial lesions or with long-term use.

Long-term treatment of atopic dermatitis with pimecrolimus cream 1% in infants does not interfere with the development of protective antibodies after vaccination.

Objective: We investigated whether treatment of atopic dermatitis with pimecrolimus cream 1% in infants affects the development of a normal antibody response to vaccinations.

Methods: In all, 91 patients participated in a 1-year, open-label extension to a 1-year double-blind study: 76 used pimecrolimus twice daily at the first signs or symptoms of the disease until clearance for 2 years and 15 only in the second year. Serum concentrations of antibodies against tetanus, diphtheria, measles, and rubella were measured at months 18 and 24.

Influence of pimecrolimus cream 1% on different morphological signs of eczema in infants with atopic dermatitis.

Background: In the published studies on the efficacy of the topical immunomodulator pimecrolimus, different eczema scores were used, and the impact on morphological key signs of eczema was not analysed.

Objective: To compare the influence of pimecrolimus cream 1% on different standard eczema scores in infants with atopic dermatitis and to analyse the impact of treatment on the individual morphological key signs of eczema.

Methods: Pimecrolimus cream 1% (n = 129) or double-blind vehicle control (n = 66) was administered for 4 weeks.

Role of food allergy in atopic dermatitis.

Purpose Of Review: Food allergy and atopic dermatitis often occur in the same patient. Based on clinical data from the past few decades, it is clear that foods such as cow's milk and hen's eggs can directly provoke flares of atopic dermatitis particularly in sensitized infants, whereas inhaled allergens and pollen-related foods are of greater importance in older children, adolescents and adults. Because the role and immunology of food allergy in atopic dermatitis remain controversial, here we review data that mainly focus on skin eczema and food allergy.