Allergy in Practice

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.

Table of contents
Clinical manifestation and classification of allergic diseases: History.- Clinical aspects and definition of allergy.- Classification of allergic diseases. Pathophysiology of allergy: The immune response.- Antibodies.- IgE-mediated reaction.- Cytotoxic reactions.- Immune complex reactions.- Cellular hypersensitivity.- Rare additional types of allergic reactions.- Pseudo-allergic reactions.- Mediators.- Synopsis. Genetics and environment in the development of allergy: Genetics of allergy.- Epidemiology of allergic diseases.- Allergy and environment.- Allergens. Diagnosis of allergy: History.- Skin tests.- In vitro tests.- Antibody detection and cellular tests.- Provocation tests.- Comparison of different diagnostic procedures. Allergic diseases (and differential diagnoses): Diseases with possible IgE association ("immediate-type").- Allergic diseases by cytotoxic reactions (Type II).- Allergic dieseases by immune complexes (Typ III).- Exogenous allergic alveolitis / hypersensitivity pneumonitis.- Eczema.- Photoallergy / Photosensitization.- Adverse drug reactions.- Granulomatous reactions (type V).- Stimulating / neutralizing hypersensitivity (type VI).- "Eco-Syndrome" ("Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" MCS). Therapy and prevention of allergies: General principles of allergy management.- Pharmacotherapy of allergic diseases.- Immunotherapy.- Unconventional procedures in allergy.- Allergy prevention. Allergy and the psyche: The problem of allergic personality.- Stress.- Psychologic influence on allergic reactions.- Psycho-neuro-allergology.- Classical disease manifestations with psychosomatic influence.- Therapy. Outlook into the future: Pathophysiology.- Clinical manifestation.- Diagnosis.- Therapy.- Controversies. Addendum.