[Allergic contact dermatitis and atopy].

Retrospective studies demonstrate that the prevalence of skin sensitization does not significantly differ between atopic and non-atopic patients. In children and adolescents the risk for sensitization seems to occur independently from AD. According to the results of a recent study, AD patients are overrepresented in the group of polysensitized patients. IgE-mediated sensitization as well as an early onset of AD and duration of the disease have been identified as possible risk factors for skin sensitization to contact allergens. A defective permeability barrier with increased epidermal water loss is a hallmark of AD and contributes to sensitization against common allergens. A highly significant association between FLG mutations and the risk of early onset, severe, persistent AD and an increased risk for asthma has been shown in several studies. A more recent study revealed an association between FLG mutations and increased nickel sensitization, but not other contact allergens. However, further large prospective studies with well-characterized patients are necessary to clarify the correlation between impaired skin barrier, atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.