The book covers recent developments in basic science, epidemiology and clinical aspects of allergy research and practice. Special emphasis has been given to environmental aspects, namely to the question of the influence of environmental pollution upon induction, elicitation and maintenance of allergic reactions("Allergotoxicology"). The book summarizes first results of epidemiological environmental studies comparing Western countries with Eastern Europe. Among basic aspects, neuroallergology is a special topic with new insights into nerval influence upon inflammation, itch and eczema. In the clinical part a critical evaluation of standard and unconventional methods in diagnosis and therapy is given including clinical ecology and other "alternative" methods.