Atopic dermatitis can be due to a variety of causes from nonatopic triggers to food allergy. Control of egress of water and protection from ingress of irritants and allergens are key components of cutaneous barrier function. Current research suggests that a degraded barrier function of the skin allows the immune system inappropriate access to environmental allergens. Epidermal aeroallergen expo...

Objective: To define threshold limit values and legally binding occupational exposure limits. Data Sources: Review of suitable literature. Study Selection: Studies based on detailed descriptions and/or measurements of airborne allergenic dust, total allergens, or even key allergens were selected. Results: Prevalences of IgE-mediated sensitization and occupational asthma are related to the aeroa...

BACKGROUND Several in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that metal-rich particles may enhance allergic responses to house dust mites and induce an increased release of allergy-related cytokines. OBJECTIVES The main goal of this analysis is to define the possible association of intrauterine exposure to lead and mercury with the occurrence of skin sensitization to common aeroallergens in ear...

BACKGROUND In Central Europe, hazel (Corylus sp.) pollen is considered to be an important aeroallergen in early spring. OBJECTIVE This study examines hazel pollen levels in Poznań, western Poland, and the clinical relevance of this aeroallergen in the city. METHODS Corylus pollen data (1996-2010) were obtained by volumetric spore trap located near the centre of Poznań. Clinical data (2006-2...

BACKGROUND Asthma is divided into atopic and non-atopic phenotypes. The percentages of atopic asthma and allergen sensitization in patients of different ages have not been well studied. OBJECTIVE To determine the percentage distribution of atopic and non-atopic phenotypes in different age groups of asthmatic children, and investigate the distribution of specific IgE to different allergens whe...

BACKGROUND Although it is widely assumed that childhood sensitization to common aeroallergens is directly related to allergen exposure in early life, few longitudinal studies have investigated this issue, and available data are scarce and mainly limited to high-risk groups. OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the role of early exposure to 2 major household aeroallergens (Der p 1 and Fel d 1) in sen...

OBJECTIVE To define longitudinal childhood wheeze phenotypes and identify their early-life risk factors. STUDY DESIGN Current wheeze was recorded 23 times up to age 7 years in a birth cohort at high risk for allergy (n = 620). Latent class analysis of wheeze responses identified 5 classes. Multinomial logistic regression estimated associations of probability-weighted wheezing classes with ear...