Noninvasive measures in atopic dermatitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize the current knowledge on the morphology, functionality and biochemical composition of the skin in allergic reactions. We address novel noninvasive techniques that promise to disclose intimate mechanisms of skin allergy in vivo. Epidermal barrier is not just a static wrap of the organism but rather a dynamic field for immunological, biophysical and biochemical processes and serves as a bio-sensor for exogenous danger signals.

RECENT FINDINGS: Classical biophysical methods are amended by novel in-vivo techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy, analysing the skin microcomposition and develop epidermal profiles. Visualization techniques, such as reflectance spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are employed in studying the micro-morphological changes in the skin of allergic patients.

SUMMARY: The noninvasive assessment of skin functions, micro-morphology and biochemical as well as immunological pathways will help to better understand skin allergies. They will allow to detect subtypes, for example in atopic dermatitis and to develop specific treatment modalities.