Ratley, Zeldin et al. implicate xylene in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis by combining spatial analysis and patient surveys with prior epidemiological and mechanistic data. They propose that exposure of healthy skin commensals to xylene, benzene and isocyantes in synthetic fabrics disrupts normal lipid metabolism and activates itching.
- Grace Ratley
- Jordan Zeldin
- Ian A. Myles