Allergic and immunologic skin disorders
D. Y. Leung, L. A. Diaz, V. DeLeo and N. A. Soter
The skin represents a unique immunologic organ poised to protect the host
from invading organisms and environmental antigens. The skin is also an
important target for a variety of allergic and autoimmune responses. Mast
cells are key to the pathogenesis of urticaria, angioedema, and
mastocytosis. Atopic dermatitis is the consequence of an immunoregulatory
abnormality resulting in a skin-directed T helper type 2 response. Allergic
contact dermatitis is an example of classic delayed type hypersensitivity.
Circulating autoantibodies against the epidermis are a key mechanism by
which bullous skin diseases occur.
