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New diagnostic classification of allergic skin disorders
S G O Johansson1, Thomas Bieber
1Department of Clinical Immunology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. s.g.o.johansson@ks.se
Purpose Of Review:
To highlight the importance of one common nomenclature for allergic skin disorders.
Recent Findings:
Diseases are best defined on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the symptoms. Although the mechanisms behind what is sometimes unfortunately referred to as 'atopic eczema' or 'atopic dermatitis' have been quite well understood for 30 years the present terms used are confusing. Over the years more than 20 different names have been used.
Summary:
Doctors, scientists and patients in the field of allergy must use one and the same terminology for allergic diseases or the result will be confusion. Diagnosis, prevention, treatment, patient advice, environmental relations, and the search for genetic markers are examples of areas that will be hampered by conflicting results. Strong efforts should be invested into broadly implementing the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) revised nomenclature for allergy.