Atopic eczema is one of the most common dermatologic Altough the etiopathogenesis of the disease has not yet conditions. According to recent data, up to 10 % of all been fully elucidated, the large body of data already children may be affected. Particularly in its severe form, available provides important clues for both our atopic eczema is a distressing and even disabling disease. understanding of the disease and for daily patient care. Even the far more frequent minor forms may pose prob- This Handbook of Atopic Eczema aims to put together lems because of their chronicity or the unpredictable current knowledge on this multifacted disease in the tendency for relapse. Atopic eczema must therefore be most comprehensive way. This volume covers the whole regarded as a major health problem, and it is one that is range of relevant information. Since each topic is dealt today drawing mounting attention, not only from the with by authors expert in that particular field, the up-to- medical community, but increasingly from the date knowledge provided is not only extensive but also nonmedical public as well. critical. I believe that this Handbook of Atopic Eczema Since atopic eczema first emerged as a disease entity in will not only enhance our ability to treat our patients, but the early decades of this century, it has been the subject will also stimulate our efforts to fully understand this of both extensive research and intense scientific enigmatic disease. controversies.