Allergic Factors in Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

During the last few years a certain amount of doubt has developed especially among the dermatologists, concerning the importance of allergic factors in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. New facts pushed the allergic hypothesis into the background. Moreover it appeared that the measures, which were applied most frequently by the allergists, e.g. elimination of allergens and desensitization were disappointing in their results.We think that one of the reasons for this was the lack of discrimination between the different types of allergic phenomena. The macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the skin seem to be quite different from those which we are accustomed to see after histamine liberation.Nevertheless, a certain connection between the dermatitis and the atopic syndrome must exist, both in the patient himself and in the different members of his family.A fairly considerable number of eczematous patients during the rest of their lives get respiratory complaints as is true also of many members of their family.Since the work of/-'oor/zon/^ ^r rt/. (1962) the criteria of the atopic syndrome have been defined much more sharply than before and we have more reliable test allergens at our disposal, in particular we have obtained a better idea of the concentrations to be used. We have therefore thought it important tôWe are indebted to doctor J. df fries for his help in pUinnirig the investigation and for ail the statistical analyses.

Development of the Atopic Syndrome in a Group of Patients With (Atopic) Constitutional Dermatitis

“…We could not detect any relation with the constitutional dermatitis, because there was neither a difference in the number of bloodeosinophils of latent, manifest-inactive cases, nor of cases healed at an early and at a later age. (Grosfeld et al 1963).…”