The neurotransmitter hypothesis of urticaria

Cutaneous manifestations of psychiatric disease that commonly present to the dermatologist--diagnosis and treatment

Patients whose psychopathology is expressed in cutaneous lesions often consult a dermatologist rather than a psychiatrist. Dermatologists may not be interested in working with these difficult patients. The need for liaison dermatology is becoming more widely recognized. This article discusses the place of psychiatric consultation in the dermatology setting, and describes the common dermatologic presentations of psychopathology: cutaneous delusions, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, expressions of depression, and dermatitis-artefacta. Diagnostic criteria for these conditions are outlined and a treatment approach, within the competence of the interested dermatologist, is offered.

The relation of stress and family environment to atopic dermatitis symptoms in children

The relation of stress and family environment to symptom severity in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) was examined. Forty-four children with severe AD and their families completed questionnaires measuring life events, chronic everyday problems and family environment. Measures of symptom severity were collected during medical evaluation and included an estimate of body surface affected by AD, course of AD symptoms over time, medication usage, and scratching intensity during the day and night. Regression analyses indicated that the measures of stress and family environment were important predictors of symptom severity even after controlling for demographic and medical status variables such as age and serum IgE level. These results have important implications for health care professionals working with children who have AD. Future research directions in the area of stress and AD are discussed.