Allergic triggers in atopic dermatitis.
Food or environmental allergens play a significant pathogenic role in a subgroup of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and can trigger eczema flares. This review focuses on when and which diagnostic and allergen-avoidance measures are beneficial. Diagnosis of allergic triggers may be aided by skin-prick tests measuring serum-specific IgE and/or atopy patch tests (APT) based on the patient's history, and when necessary, oral food challenges (OFC). In a subset of patients, therapeutic measures, such as elimination of the incriminated allergen(s), can lead to marked improvement of AD; this is especially true for food allergens, but can also apply to inhalant allergens.
Caubet
Jean-Christoph
JC
University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Eigenmann
Philippe A
PA
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E