Psychoneuroimmunodermatology of atopic dermatitis: From empiric data to the evolutionary hypothesis

Stefano Pallanti, Torello Lotti, Mauro Urpe

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a pruritic skin disease affecting predominantly young people. There is evidence that psychologic stress constitutes an increased risk for atopy and influences the disease's clinical course. This risk is believed mediated by the effects of stress on neuroimmunoregulation, which in turn modulates the hypersensitivity response and involves immunoglobulin E-mediated inflammation, helper T-cell 2 predominance, and eosinophilia. This article examines theoretic perspectives and other behavioral dimensions, such as maternal caring behavior, infant response to stress, temperament, and the so-called "hygiene hypothesis." The Darwinian framework and the mental scenario are examined. These processes may be akin to the generation of antibodies by the immune system.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)695-701
Number of pages7
JournalDermatologic Clinics
Volume23
Issue number4 SPEC. ISS.
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2005

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Psychoneuroimmunodermatology of atopic dermatitis: From empiric data to the evolutionary hypothesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this