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Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Pregnancy

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Asthma, Allergic and Immunologic Diseases During Pregnancy

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Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) involve cell-mediated immune mechanisms with overlapping pathophysiology and manifestations. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory, and pruritic skin disease due to a complex interplay of immunopathology, environmental factors, and inherent skin barrier defects. Allergic contact dermatitis encompasses an inflammatory skin reaction which develops through external allergenic skin exposures, subsequently leading to immunologic inflammatory pathways. Both dermatoses may occur in the pregnant patient, either as a new diagnosis or an exacerbation of pre-existing disease, resulting in significant emotional distress and adversely impacting a patient’s quality of life. Appropriate diagnosis of new-onset pruritus with or without skin rash in the pregnant patient is important since there are pregnancy-specific dermatoses (i.e., polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy) which may require prompt treatment in order to prevent adverse maternal and/or fetal outcomes. Fetal prognosis is generally not affected by maternal AD or ACD. However, treatment options for AD and ACD are relatively limited in the pregnant patient, given the potential fetal adverse effects of several therapeutic options, especially for moderate-to-severe cases.

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Abbreviations

ACD:

Allergic contact dermatitis

AD:

Atopic dermatitis

AEP:

Atopic eruption of pregnancy

PT:

Patch test or patch testing

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, NYU-Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, NY, USA

    Stephanie L. Mawhirt & Luz Fonacier

Authors
  1. Stephanie L. Mawhirt
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  2. Luz Fonacier
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Correspondence to Luz Fonacier .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, CA, USA

    Jennifer A. Namazy

  2. Department of Allergy, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA

    Michael Schatz

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Mawhirt, S.L., Fonacier, L. (2019). Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Pregnancy. In: Namazy, J., Schatz, M. (eds) Asthma, Allergic and Immunologic Diseases During Pregnancy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03395-8_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03395-8_7

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