This book presents the state of the art in research into atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema, and provides numerous effective practical management recommendations that are grounded in the immense clinical experience of the author. A scientific evidence-based approach to the subject is adopted, progressing from clinical symptoms in different disease stages, molecular genetics, and pathophysiology through to treatment and prevention. All aspects of patient management are covered, including diagnostics, avoidance strategies, emollient therapy, and acute treatment of eczema and itch. Diverse special therapeutic approaches are discussed, ranging from glucocorticoids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, and antimicrobial therapy through to UV therapy, allergen-specific immunotherapy, systemic immunosuppressive therapy, and emerging options. Environmental influences are considered, and there is a focus on the whole human being, with attention to psychosocial aspects of the disease and the benefit of educational programs such as “eczema schools”. Atopic Dermatitis will be invaluable for dermatologists, allergists, pediatricians, and general practitioners and informative for other interested persons and sufferers.

This reference explores the epidemiology, etiology, management, and pathophysiological mechanisms of atopic dermatitis and identifies potential genetic and environmental factors associated with allergic skin immune responses-compiling the latest research, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic strategies for the prevention, control, and treatment o

Advances in itch research have elucidated differences between itch and pain but have also blurred the distinction between them. There is a long debate about how somatic sensations including touch, pain, itch, and temperature sensitivity are encoded by the nervous system. Research suggests that each sensory modality is processed along a fixed, direct-line communication system from the skin to the brain. Itch: Mechanisms and Treatment presents a timely update on all aspects of itch research and the clinical treatment of itch that accompanies many dermatological conditions including psoriasis, neuropathic itch, cutaneous t-cells lymphomas, and systemic diseases such as kidney and liver disease and cancer. Composed of contributions from distinguished researchers around the world, the book explores topics such as: Neuropathic itch Peripheral neuronal mechanism of itch The role of PAR-2 in neuroimmune communication and itch Mrgprs as itch receptors The role of interleukin-31 and oncostatin M in itch and neuroimmune communication Spinal coding of itch and pain Spinal microcircuits and the regulation of itch Examining new findings on cellular and molecular mechanisms, the book is a compendium of the most current research on itch, its prevalence in society, and the problems associated with treatment.

This book comprehensively reviews the characteristics of the body reflected in the skin due to differences in gender. It investigates the genetic and hormonal differences that can affect skin structure and function, and resulting in variations between women and men. The aging process and exogenous factors that differ according to differences in lifestyle between the sexes are also covered. Gender and Dermatology comprehensively outlines the various aspects of physiological differences between the skin of women and men using practical examples and review of the basic science. It is therefore an important clinically-relevant review for both the trainee and experienced practitioner in dermatology, primary care, geriatrics and immunology, while also being of interest to researchers in genetics and metabolic medicine.

It is estimated that around 15% of the population suffer from atopic dermatitis or eczematous disorders at some point in their lifetime, causing a significant percentage of visits to dermatologists, primary care physicians, and allergists. Despite much current research interest, the pathophysiology of these disorders and their optimum treatment rem

The concept of expressing acidity as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration was defined and termed pH in the beginning of the 20th century. The general usefulness of the pH concept for life science was recognized and later gained importance to analytical research. Reports on results of pH measurements from living skin established the term acid mantle - the skin's own protective shield that maintains a naturally acid pH. It is invisible to the eye but crucial to the overall wellbeing of skin. Chronic alkalization can throw this acid mantle out of balance, leading to inflammation, dermatitis, and atopic skin diseases. It is therefore no surprise, that skin pH shifts have been observed in various skin pathologies. It is also obvious that the pH in topically applied preparations may play an important role. Optimal pH and buffer capacity within topical preparations not only support stability of active ingredients and auxiliary materials, but may also increase absorption of the non-ionized species of an acidic or a basic active ingredient. They may even open up opportunities to modify and "correct" skin pH and hence accelerate barrier recovery and maintain or enhance barrier integrity. Further efforts are needed to standardize and improve pH measurements in biological media or pharmaceutical/cosmetic vehicles to increase and ensure quality, comparability, and relevance of research data. In this volume, we present a unique collection of papers that address past, present and future issues of the pH of healthy and diseased skin. It is hoped that this collection will foster future efforts in clinical and experimental skin research.