The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 125, Issue 2, Supplement 2 , Pages S138-S149, February 2010

Allergic skin diseases

  • Luz S. Fonacier, MD

      Affiliations

    • Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY
  • ,
  • Stephen C. Dreskin, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colo
  • ,
  • Donald Y.M. Leung, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • National Jewish Health, Denver, Colo
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Donald Y. M. Leung, MD, PhD, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Room K926i, Denver, CO 80206.

Received 8 May 2009; received in revised form 28 May 2009; accepted 29 May 2009. published online 25 November 2009.

The skin is one of the largest immunologic organs and is affected by both external and internal factors, as well as innate and adaptive immune responses. Many skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema, psoriasis, and autoimmune blistering disorders, are immune mediated. Most of these diseases are chronic, inflammatory, and proliferative, in which both genetic and environmental factors play important roles. These immunologic mechanisms might have implications for potential targets of future therapeutic interventions.

Key words: Allergic contact dermatitis, autoimmune blistering disease, atopic dermatitis, eczema, immune-mediated skin disorders, irritant contact dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria

Abbreviations used: ACD, Allergic contact dermatitis, AD, Atopic dermatitis, AMP, Antimicrobial peptide, ASST, Autologous serum skin test, BHR, Basophil histamine release, BP, Bullous pemphigoid, CAPB, Cocoamidopropyl betaine, CD, Contact dermatitis, CIU, Chronic idiopathic urticaria, CU, Chronic urticaria, DC, Dendritic cell, EH, Eczema herpeticum, FDA, US Food and Drug Administration, HBD, Human β-defensin, ICD, Irritant contact dermatitis, IDEC, Inflammatory dendritic epidermal cell, IVIG, Intravenous immunoglobulin, LC, Langerhans cell, NACDG, North American Contact Dermatitis Group, PDC, Plasmacytoid dendritic cell, PPD, Paraphenylenediamine, PV, Pemphigus vulgaris, ROAT, Repeat open application test, SCD, Systemic contact dermatitis, TLR, Toll-like receptor, T.R.U.E. TEST, Thin layer rapid use epicutaneous test, TSLP, Thymic stromal lymphopoietin

 

 Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: L. S. Fonacier has received research support from Novartis-Genentech, Dyax, Lev, Allerderm, and Alcom; is on the Board of Regents of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; is President of the Long Island Allergy Society; and is past President of the International Association of Filipino Allergists and Immunologists. S. C. Dreskin has received research support from the National Institutes of Health and has provided expert witness testimony on antibiotic allergy and vaccine allergy. D. Y. M. Leung has declared that he has no conflict of interest.

PII: S0091-6749(09)00865-3

doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2009.05.039

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 125, Issue 2, Supplement 2 , Pages S138-S149, February 2010