Cytokines in Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Abstract

Atopic eczema (eczema, atopic dermatitis, diffuse neurodermatitis, endogenous eczema) is one of the most common skin diseases of our time—not only in childhood. The prevalence of this disease has increased dramatically over the past decades, although the reasons for this increase are not known. Eczema occurs anywhere in the world, not only in industrialized countries. It occurs at any age, not only in childhood, and approximately two-thirds of children affected will suffer from this disease when they are grown up. Written by leading experts in their field, this second edition of the excellent handbook of atopic eczema comprises the state of the art in pathophysiology, clinical medicine, and therapeutic management. It demonstrates that there is no simple "miracle" cream, pill, or diet for this disease, but that a disturbed barrier function can only be repaired by adequate and individualized skin care. It also shows how unspecific anti-inflammatory treatment has to be individually tailored according to body area affected, patient age, and severity of skin lesions. All physicians treating patients with atopic eczema will find this book most helpful in their painstaking search for the individual causal or eliciting factors, which is the only basis for rational treatment and prevention of this disease.