Atopie dermatitis is a chronic skin disease. Both immediate and delayed type of hypersensitivity plays role in its pathogenesis. The course of atopie dermatitis is complicated mostly by food allergens and aeroallergens, contact allergens, emotional, climatic and hormonal factors. Food allergy to cow milk and eggs has often been found in children under 3 years of age; however tolerance to these compounds is induced in majority (80%) of these patients after the age of three years. The food allergy in adult patients with atopie eezema has not been fully evaluated yet. Whereas immediate-type food reactions can be identified quite easily by evaluation of the specific IgE titres, the presence of the delayed hypersensitivity can be confirmed by atopy patch tests. The elaboration of atopie patch test methods and introducing such approach into the clinical practice could improve the diagnostic possibilities of food allergy and potentially replace the double blind, placebo controlled food challenge tests. The main task is the standardisation of food allergens in performing the tests.

        Key words: atopy - atopie dermatitis - food allergy - atopy patch tests