[Increased plasma noradrenaline values in severe atopic eczema].

By means of a standardized HPLC method, we determined free plasma catecholamines both in 41 adult patients with severe atopic dermatitis and in 18 healthy volunteers. The levels of circulating noradrenaline were significantly higher in the atopic group (p less than 0.005), whereas the concentrations of adrenaline and dopamine, in contrast, were only slightly elevated. We discuss the possible mechanisms leading to these changes in spite of normal activities of DBH.