As many parents know, eczema amongst children can be a difficult, painful and frustrating condition to cope with for the parent and the child.



It frequently causes irritable behaviour in the child and sleep disruption. This can result in parenting difficulties, and may even place the child at increased risk of behavioural and emotional problems.



In addition to covering the medical aspects of the condition, Understanding Childhood Eczema focuses on the psychological consequences and how they can be managed, as well as psychological factors in treatment.



Revealing the advantages and drawbacks of conventional therapies, this easy-to-follow guide explains all aspects of childhood eczema in an accessible manner to help you and your child cope with this distressing condition.





Penny Titman is an experienced clinical child psychologist who has extensive experience in working with children and families with chronic health problems. She has completed a PhD on the psychological impact of skin conditions on children and their families which included a study of childhood eczema on the family.

This book presents the state of the art in cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the immune response in allergic inflammation. Special attention is given to the central role of regulatory T cells (Treg) in immune regulation and induction of peripheral tolerance, as well as to the relevance of Th17 cells in chronic inflammation. The importance of Treg and Th17 cells is demonstrated in bronchial asthma, atopic eczema, contact dermatitis and delayed-type hypersensitivity. Furthermore, T-cell-mediated regulatory mechanisms in helminthic infections and fungal allergy are discussed. Several chapters are devoted to the therapeutic consequences that these recently discovered T-cell functions may have. Their role as a potential target for specific immunotherapy is evaluated and novel approaches for peripheral tolerance induction and treatment of allergic and asthmatic diseases and inflammation are suggested. Stem cell transplantation as a future therapeutic intervention in regulatory T-cell disorders is also considered. Well edited and up to date, this volume is recommended reading for allergologists, immunologists, dermatologists and any scientist interested in the immunological events regulating allergic inflammation in general and allergic manifestations in different organs.