Allergy is one of the major health problems of most modern societies. Although allergic diseases are well-known for almost two hundred years, their prevalence has increased dramatically over the last decades. Allergic reactions manifest in various organs, most commonly in the skin and mucous membranes, the frontier surfaces where the contact between the individual and the environment takes place. In a very concise and practical way this book covers all aspects of allergic reactions from pathophysiology to diagnosis, therapy and prevention with a strong focus on relevant aspects for the everyday work of the practising dermatologist and allergist in the hospital or office. This book reflects the rich personal experience of a German allergist with international training and reputation, who is active in immunology and allergy research and practice for almost 30 years. In this book, not only IgE-mediated allergic reactions are covered but all other kinds of allergies such as atopic eczema, contact dermatitis, drug eruptions, anaphylaxis and food allergies are equally represented as well as psychosomatic aspects and problems of environmental intolerances. Cover Page 1 Title Page 3 ISBN 3540002197 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York 4 Preface 5 Foreword 8 Table of Contents 10 1 Clinical Manifestation and Classification of Allergic Diseases 10 2 Pathophysiology of Allergic Reactions 10 3 Genetics and Environment in the Development of Allergy 10 4 Allergy Diagnosis 11 5 Allergic Diseases (and Differential Diagnoses) 11 6 Allergy Prevention and Therapy 14 7 Psyche and Allergy 14 8 Outlook 14 9 Appendix 15 Subject Index 15 Abbreviations 16 1 Clinical Manifestation and Classification of Allergic Diseases 19 2 Pathophysiology of Allergic Reactions 26 3 Genetics and Environment in the Development of Allergy 48 4 Allergy Diagnosis 78 5 Allergic Diseases (and Differential Diagnoses) 94 6 Allergy Prevention and Therapy 236 7 Psyche and Allergy 266 8 Outlook 275 9 Appendix 281 Subject Index 287 This Book Reflects The Rich Personal Experience Of A German Allergist With International Training And Reputation, Who Is Active In Immunology And Allergy Research And Practice For Almost 30 Years. In This Book, Not Only Ige-mediated Allergic Reactions Are Covered But All Other Kinds Of Allergies Such As Atopic Eczema, Contact Dermatitis, Drug Eruptions, Anaphylaxis And Food Allergies Are Equally Represented As Well As Psychosomatic Aspects And Problems Of Environmental Intolerances. Johannes Ring ; With A Foreword By Thomas Platts-mills. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Allergie diseases have been known for centuries, and allergic diseases such as asthma, urticaria and eczema were described in the ancient medical literature of China, Egypt, and Greece (Table 1.1) [7, 22, 24].
