ABSTRACT
This chapter will review our current knowledge about the pathogenesis of allergic skin disorders, in particular atopic dermatitis (AD) and urticaria. Anti-IgE therapy has not been systematically studied in these skin diseases. Therefore we will discuss the role of IgE in their pathogenesis and provide a scientific rationale for use of anti-IgE treatment in these diseases. Recent studies indicate that the IgE molecule has a multifunctional role in these diseases, acting as both a target and a key player in the elicitation of allergen-induced immediate hypersensitivity reactions and cell-mediated responses.
