Preface; Foreword; Part I. The Nature of the Problem: 1. What is atopic dermatitis, and how should it be defined in epidemiological studies? H. Williams; 2. The pathophysiology and clinical features of atopic dermatitis C. Archer; 3. The natural history of atopic dermatitis H. Williams and B. Wüthrich; 4. Occupational consequences of atopic dermatitis P. J. Coenraads and T. Diepgen; Part II. Descriptive Studies which Indicate the Size of the Problem: 5. Geographical studies of atopic dermatitis N. McNally and D. Philips; 6. The morbidity and cost of atopic dermatitis R. Herd; 7. Is the prevalence of atopic dermatitis increasing? T. Diepgen; Part III. Analytical Studies which Point to Causes of Atopic Dermatitis: 8. Genetic epidemiology of atopic dermatitis F. S. Larsen; 9. Foetal and perinatal origins of atopic dermatitis K. Godfrey; 10. Socioeconomic factors and atopic dermatitis N. McNally and D. Philips; 11. The 'old mother' hypothesis A. B. Olesen and K. Thestrup-Pederson; 12. The possible role of environmental pollution T. Schäfer and J. Ring; 13. Migrant studies H. Williams and C. Burrell-Morris; 14. The role of house dust mite H. Kolmer and T. Platts-Mills; 15. Dietary factors in atopic dermatitis T. David, L. Patel, C. Ewing and R. H. Stanton; Part IV. Intervention Studies: 16. Prevention of atopic dermatitis A. Mar and R. Marks; Part V. Lessons from Other Fields: 17. Parallels with the epidemiology of asthma and hay fever D. Strachan; 18. Recent developments in atopic diseases in animals S. Shaw and M. Day; Part VI. Conclusions: 19. The future research agenda H. Williams; Index.