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The paper includes a survey of issues concerning evolution of allergy to antibiotics. Particular attention is paid to penicillin allergy as this antibiotic has been the drug most frequently causing sensitization since 1960s until today, although the frequency of the allergy is continuously decreasing. In addition, the paper deals with the importance of replacing benzyl penicillin with semi-synthetic penicillins and the impact of these process on the nature of immune response (a decrease in the immediate allergy incidence, an increase in the delayed allergy incidence), cross reactions, the significance of the hidden allergen sources. Apart from that, the paper discusses the most important issues concerning the evolution of allergy to other antibiotics, especially the aminoglycoside antibiotics and cephalosporins.

To avoid allergic reactions to hair dyes, an open test ("skin sensitivity test" or "dab test") is recommended 48 hours before the hair colouring procedure. We have investigated in a multicenter study, under standardized conditions and medical supervision, the validity of this test as a practical method to detect allergy to paraphenylenediamine (PPD)-containing hair dyes in 30 PPD patch test-positive and 30 PPD patch test-negative subjects. A defined volume of a marketed hair colouring product containing 1.8% PPD was applied in an open patch test to the retroauricular area. The grading method comprised the dermatologist's clinical evaluation and objective numerical scores. Allergic reactions were elicited in all PPD-positive subjects with a maximal intensity on Day 2; no allergic reactions were elicited in PPD-negative subjects. Increased severity of reactions by the dermatologist's clinical evaluation was correlated strongly with increasing numerical scores. The "skin sensitivity test" can be considered as an effective method to detect type IV hair dye allergy and as such, as an important factor in its secondary prevention.

In a group of 228 patients suffering from asthma-prurigo syndrome the influence of emotional state, permanent residence and season time on dynamic of the clinical symptoms were studied. The evaluation of emotional state in 80 adult patients was carried-out by means of Eysenck Personality Inventory. The emotional state had less negative influence on the exacerbation of the symptoms upon children then in adults (especially on their skin symptoms). It was confirmed that the patients with high level of neurotic symptoms revealed easier the exacerbation of asthma and skin disorders under the influence of emotional stress. The climatic treatment on the sea-side was more efficient for them than any mountain climatic cure, especially in the treatment of airways symptoms. Similarly, the summer season brought the relief of their symptoms from both the respiratory and skin symptoms.

Since 1970 patch tests have been carried out on 39,420 consecutive patients with contact dermatitis using two rubber accelerators: dimercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) and tetramethylthiuram disulphide (TMTD). The second substance is also a component of pesticides. Over the years, the incidence of sensitivity to these substances was similar. But in the recent years the incidence of TMTD sensitivity began rising. This fact is explained by more frequent use of rubber gloves connected with AIDS prophylaxis. Independently of this, it was found that a part of alcoholic patients treated with disulfiram (tetraethylthiuram disulphide) showed a cross-reaction to TMTD.

The group of 146 patients suffering from asthma-prurigo syndrome (85 adults and 64 children) have been inquired in many various clinical centers. It was established that in 79.6% of the patients the first symptoms of illness appeared already in infancy and only 28.2% of the patients had negative familiar anamnesis on the allergy. In 73.2% of the patients with asthma-prurigo syndrome the symptoms of atopic dermatitis persisted longer than asthma symptoms and in 89.9% of them asthma-prurigo symptoms accompanied other form of allergic diseases. The most important causal allergens provoking asthma-prurigo symptoms were: house dust (in 64.4% of the patients), chocolate (in 42.2%), cat epithelia (in 40.2%) and cow milk proteins (in 29.5% of the patients).

Purpose: To elaborate a set of contact allergens present in eye drops which could precipitate allergic conjunctivitis. Such set has not been yet described in literature., Methods: Basing on the most frequently used preparations, a set of 15 different substances: drugs and preservatives, was prepared to test the patients., Results: Among the 97 persons who underwent the testing, positive results were observed in 35.5%. The hypersensitivity was found for 11 of the allergens, the most often for neomycin, gentamycin, merthiolate, benzalkonium chloride, and then consecutively for kanamycin, sulfathiazole, oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol, penicillin, boric acid and parabens.

The incidence of various types of urticaria. In 1734 patients with urticaria the incidence of the types of this condition is analysed. The sex of the patients and the mean age at oneset of symptoms are given.

The studied material comprised 179 patients with three types of non-infectious rhinitis and 8 types of urticaria. Out of 24 possible combinations of coexistence of the types of these disease entities in and overwhelming majority of patients (95.6%) only 6 combinations were found, while the remaining 18 combinations were very rare, and were noted in only 4.4% of patients.

In a group of 228 patients with Asthma-Prurigo syndrome in 82.5% of patients the onset of skin lesions was earlier than the onset of asthma. It was found that the early onset of atopic dermatitis suggests the greater probability of subsequent asthma. In 88.6% of patients also other allergic diseases were diagnosed, and rhinitis allergica was observed most frequently. In the investigated group of patients urticaria chronica idiopathica or physical urticarias were not observed. Among 228 patients with Asthma-Prurigo syndrome, 74.6% of patients pointed to house dust as one of the most frequent causative factors. The house dust similarly to other inhalant allergens, somewhat more frequently had influence on the course of atopic dermatitis than on the course of asthma. Contrary to this observation according to patients food allergens (milk, eggs, fish, chocolate) aggravated or induced the relapses of skin lesions much more frequently than asthma. It was shown how often patients noticed adverse reactions due to penicillin and sulphonamides.

In 481 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), 4 major features of Hanifin and Rajka were found in 72%, and in 96% over 6 minor features were seen, which is much more than the minimum required by these authors for making a 'firm diagnosis'. The incidence of particular minor features in all patients was varying significantly, and in subgroups of patients they appeared with different frequency. For example, asthma occurred more often in AD patients with the onset of skin lesions before the 6th month of life, and food intolerance was more frequently observed in patients with very high serum IgE level. In the control groups some minor features also occur but less frequently than in AD patients. We conclude that the anterior neck folds and Dennie-Morgan infraorbital fold should be regarded as minor AD features.

The frequency of basic and minor features of atopic dermatitis were compared between 86 patients with coexistent asthma, and 269 without asthma. The coexistence of asthma caused a statistically significantly more frequent presence of one of the basic features: personal or family history of atopy and five minor features. The latter included: early age of onset, recurrent conjunctivitis, tendency toward cutaneous infections, elevated serum IgE and keratosis pilaris.

In 365 children and 213 adults the characteristics of atopic dermatitis isolated by Hanifin and Rajka were analysed in relation to a family history of allergy. A positive history in both parents and/or their families was associated with higher IgE titres, earlier appearance of skin changes, more frequent occurrence of urticaria, allergic respiratory diseases, cheilitis, and, in women, nipple eczema. These changes were less frequent and the IgE titre was lower in patients with one atopic parent, and even less frequent (or lower IgE titre) in patients with no family history of atopic disease, although the latter difference was sometimes slight.

The study involved 117 adults and 535 children with atopic dermatitis. Immunoglobulins E against D. pteronyssinus--main allergen of the home dust--were assayed with RAST technique in children and FAST technique in adult patients. It was found that the blood serum IgE levels increase with patients' age and is the highest in patients with coexisting allergic respiratory diseases (difference statistically significant). RAST precision was compared with that of "prick" skin tests in the detection of allergy to home dust mites. Desensitization of 15 patients with home mite allergen produced satisfactory effects.

Three hundred sixty five children and hundred thirty nine adults with atopic dermatitis were divided into three groups. Group A included patients with negative family history of allergy; group B--allergy history in one parent or his family; group C--allergy in both parents or their families. It was found that total IgE level was higher in patients of group C in comparison with group A. Similarly, bronchial asthma and/or rhinitis coexisted more frequently, incidence of urticaria was higher and its onset earlier in patients of group C. The results noted in patients of group B occupied middle position between those in group A and group C. Results related to the incidence of RAST positive reactions and multiple sensitivity were similar but the differences were lower. Radioimmunologic assays were performed only in part of the tested patients.

The percentages of suppressor T lymphocytes were compared in 111 patients with atopic dermatitis and 100 healthy volunteers. In the former group there was a statistically significant reduction of suppressor T cells, which was not related to IgE level. Similar decrease in T cells has been found in patients with normal IgE as well as in patients having 10-fold increase in serum IgE. Our results were compared to previously published data of other investigators.