Today about 20-30 % of the population are affected by allergies, a concerning fact that is confirmed by recent epidemiological data. This book contains the proceedings of the International Symposium 'The Atopy Syndrome in the Third Millennium' held in Zurich in October 1998. It focuses on IgE-mediated allergy, beginning from the first manifestation of atopy, atopic eczema in infancy, and leading to its manifestations in children, adolescents and adults, to hay fever, asthma and food allergy. The topics covered give an update and comprehensive review of the different atopic manifestations concerning clinic, diagnosis, pathomechanisms, treatment and prevention. Summarizing the current knowledge on the fascinating and rapidly progressing field of atopy this publication is essential reading for dermatologists, allergologist, otorhinolaryngologists, and pediatricians.