Changes in the Reported Prevalence of Childhood Eczema Since the 1939-45 War

Trends in the epidemiology and prescribing of medication for eczema in England

“…7 Although little data on the trend of eczema prevalence exist prior to World War II (1939)(1940)(1941)(1942)(1943)(1944)(1945), the prevalence of eczema increased substantially in the latter half of the 20th century, with eczema in school{aged children being found to increase between the late 1940s and 2000. [14][15][16] In contrast to our results, survey studies (see Box 2 Trends in the epidemiology and prescribing of medication for eczema in England for questions used in surveys) from the period immediately prior (1995-1996 to 2000-2001) 17 and intersecting our study period (1995-1996 to 2002-2003) 6 found only a moderate increase in eczema in children (2-15 years), a decrease in older children (13-14 years) and no increase in adults (aged >15 years) over time. Also in contrast to our data, a study using general practice electronic data which intersected our study period (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)) found a steep decline over time in young children (<5 years) presenting with eczema, 18 but similar to our study found increases in adults (>45 years).…”

An Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Disease with Hyper-IgE-emia Develops in Mice Carrying a Spontaneous Recessive Point Mutation in theTraf3ip2(Act1/CIKS) Gene

“…Today, AD (or atopic eczema) is recognized as a strongly heritable disease characterized by complex symptoms, including chronically relapsing, extreme pruritus and eczematous skin disease, both of which are frequently associated with IgE hyperresponsiveness to environmental allergens (2)(3)(4). The rapid increase in the prevalence of AD during the past three decades has sparked an intense effort to elucidate the underlying pathogenesis of the disease and has led to the use of radical treatments for the disorder (3,5).…”

Adverse reactions to food and food allergy in young children in Iceland and Sweden

“…Several studies indicate that the prevalence of allergy is increasing, particularly in countries with a ''western lifestyle'' (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). All of these studies were related to eczema or respiratory allergy, however.…”