[Significance of local factors for the development of contact allergic reactions in patients with chronic venous insufficiency].

There are a number of local factors which might contribute to the induction and persistence of contact allergies in patients with chronic venous insufficiency of the lower leg and their sequelae such as stasis dermatitis and leg ulcers. Thus, the acanthotic epidermis might have a certain "reservoir function" for potential contact allergens. Furthermore, the density of epidermal Langerhans' cells is increased in areas of stasis dermatitis, and the dermis contains a high number of cells bearing HLA-DR antigens, which might act as antigen-presenting cells.