The varying prevalences of polysensitization across Europe most likely reflect differences in patient characteristics and referral patterns between departments. Known risk factors for polysensitization are confirmed in a European dermatitis population.

SummaryIt is estimated that 23 million Germans suffer from chronic pain. A recent survey has revealed that 30 % of chronic pain patients are dissatisfied with their pain management. Furthermore, five million Germans suffer from neuropathic pain, 20 % of whom are inadequately treated. Pain is also a symptom of many dermatologic diseases, which is mostly somatic and may be classified as mild in the majority of cases. Nevertheless, research on the quality of life (QoL) has increasingly shown a marked impairment of QoL by moderate pain such as in psoriatic arthritis. Severe pain is associated with herpes zoster (shingles), leg ulcers, and pyoderma gangrenosum. This article addresses the basics of pain classification and, in a short excerpt, pain transduction/transmission and modulation. The use of standardized diagnostic scales is recommended for the purpose of recording and monitoring pain intensity, which allows for the optimization of therapy and consistent interdisciplinary communication. Any dermatology residency program includes the acquisition of knowledge and skills in pain management. This review therefore aims to present fundamental therapeutic concepts based on the expanded WHO analgesic ladder, and describes a step-wise therapeutic approach and combination therapies. The article focuses on the pain management of the above-mentioned severely painful, conservatively treated dermatoses. Besides well-established therapeutic agents and current therapeutic standards, it discusses specific options based on guidelines (where available). Current knowledge on peri-and postoperative pain management is briefly outlined. This article addresses:  The fundamentals of the classification and neurophysiology of pain;  Standards for pain documentation in children and adults;  General standards for pharmaceutical pain management;  Current specific treatment options for postherpetic neuralgia, leg ulcers, and pyoderma gangrenosum in conjunction with the expanded WHO analgesic ladder.

Our results support the efficacy and safety of 5% permethrin cream in adults, children and infants suffering from scabies. These results have contributed to the approval of InfectoScab 5% in Germany for the treatment of scabies in October 2004.

Epifocal DNCB combined with DTIC is effective in patients with regionally metastasized melanoma not amenable to surgery or isolated limb perfusion, whereas in stage IV disease in spite of few durable remissions the addition of DNCB does not improve the therapeutic efficacy of DTIC.

Summary Background and objectives Documenting patient data in psoriasis clinical practice can improve care, but standardized and transparent documentation is rare. The current project aimed to develop a data set for the documentation of psoriasis in daily practice. Material and methods In four online Delphi rounds and one in‐person meeting, 27 psoriasis experts allocated variables to a standard, an optimal and an optional data set. Most of the questions were standardized. Open questions were included to allow for the provision of reasons and to enlarge the data sets. Furthermore, in the in‐person meeting we considered a) patients’ attitudes and b) dermatologists’ information on the current usage and acceptability in Germany. Results The consensus approach resulted in a data set with 69 variables. The standard data set includes 20, the optimal data set 31 and the optional data set 18 variables. In summary, the data set can mainly be grouped into master data, general status and medical history data, medical history of psoriasis, status of psoriasis, diagnostics and comorbidity, therapies and patient‐reported outcomes. Conclusions The consensus recommendation of a standard, an optimal and an optional data set for routine care of psoriasis intends to be a decision‐making aid and an orientation for both daily practice and further development of documentation systems.