Approach to suspected food allergy in atopic dermatitis. Guideline of the Task Force on Food Allergy of the German Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI) and the Medical Association of German Allergologists (ADA) and the German Society of Pediatric Allergology (GPA).

The following guideline of the "Arbeitsgruppe Nahrungsmittelallergie der DGAKI" (Task Force on Food Allergy of the German Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology) and the ADA ("Arzteverband Deutscher Allergologen", Medical Association of German Allergologists) and the GPA (German Society of Pediatric Allergology) summarizes the approach to be taken when food allergy is suspected in patients with atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis, atopic eczema). The problem is clinically relevant because many patients assume that allergic reactions against foods are responsible for triggering or worsening their eczema. It is important to identify those patients who will benefit from an elimination diet but also to avoid unnecessary diets.

Diagnostic approach for suspected pseudoallergic reaction to food ingredients.

Chronic urticaria, recurrent angioedema and non-allergic asthma have all been associated with pseudoallergic reactions to food ingredients. For atopic dermatitis and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, this association is controversial. Pseudoallergic reactions can be elicited by additives as well as by natural food ingredients.

Skin testing with food allergens. Guideline of the German Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI), the Physicians' Association of German Allergologists (ADA) and the Society of Pediatric Allergology (GPA) together with the Swiss Society of Allergology.

Skin testing has a central role in the diagnosis of food allergy. Prick testing is well- established as a routine diagnostic tool. Nonetheless, unstable allergens and the lack of standardized extracts create difficulties in the identification of sensitization to foods in patients with suspected food allergy.

Fluoroquinolone-associated anaphylaxis in spontaneous adverse drug reaction reports in Germany: differences in reporting rates between individual fluoroquinolones and occurrence after first-ever use.

Background: The frequency of fluoroquinolone-associated anaphylaxis has been estimated to be 1.8-23 per 10 million days of treatment based on spontaneous reports. It is unknown whether there are differences between the reporting rates of anaphylaxis with individual fluoroquinolones.

Diagnostic tests based on human basophils: potentials, pitfalls and perspectives.

Human basophils are important tools for studying immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions since they release a variety of mediators (e.g., histamine, leukotriene C4, IL-4 and IL-13) following allergen triggering.

Anaphylaxis induced by glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids are frequently used to treat allergic reactions. Therefore, allergic reactions to systemic glucocorticoids in particular are considered most unlikely and are not well known. We report on a 23-year-old woman with atopic dermatitis who had an anaphylactic reaction after oral administration of prednisolone.

The "strip" patch test: results of a multicentre study towards a standardization.

Background: The "strip" patch test (SPT) is a variant of patch testing which is used for substances with a poor percutaneous penetration. Penetration of the substances is enhanced by repeated applications of adhesive tape prior to their application to the skin. However, no guidelines exist for standardized performance of the SPT.

Allergic contact dermatitis from phenylephrine in eyedrops.

Phenylephrine is widely used as an ophthalmic drug. However, there are only very few reports on allergic contact dermatitis induced by phenylephrine. In addition, little is known on cross reactivity patterns between the sympathomimetics phenylephrine, epinephrine and ephedrine which share a similar chemical structure.