2016 Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages 190-194
Recent findings about epicutaneous sensitization have resulted in a paradigm shift in our understanding about airway sensitization and food allergies. The establishment of epicutaneous sensitization requires many factors including allergen penetration through the skin, allergen uptake via the elongated dendrites of epidermal Langerhans cells, and a suitable cytokine microenvironment. In atopic dermatitis, skin inflammation often induces these conditions. In other words, the suppression of skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis using appropriate treatments, including the application of anti-inflammatory drugs, might reduce the risk of epicutaneous sensitization, which would contribute to preventing the progression of the atopic march.
