title: Allergic and immunologic skin disorders.
abstract: The skin represents a unique immunologic organ poised to protect the host from invading organisms and environmental antigens. The skin is also an important target for a variety of allergic and autoimmune responses. Mast cells are key to the pathogenesis of urticaria, angioedema, and mastocytosis. Atopic dermatitis is the consequence of an immunoregulatory abnormality resulting in a skin-directed T helper type 2 response. Allergic contact dermatitis is an example of classic delayed type hypersensitivity. Circulating autoantibodies against the epidermis are a key mechanism by which bullous skin diseases occur.
authors.forename: D Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: DeLeo
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Soter
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D000799:Angioedema; D003872:Dermatitis; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D008415:Mastocytosis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous; D014581:Urticaria
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens