Development of allergology in GDR: Treatment of allergic diseases

The treatment of allergic diseases of the respiratory tract and the skin was on principle done following usual international basic rules. The range of drugs, necessary for it, was easy to grasp and for uncomplicated cases (the most) sufficient and available. It was produced by the pharmaceutical industry of GDR and by chemists on individual prescription. There were drugs for symptomatic treatment (topicals and systemics) and for specific immunotherapy (hyposensitization). For complicated cases there were possibilities to use special imported drugs (nomenclature C and D). Spas and other health resorts were available too for patients suffering from diseases of the respiratory tract, atopic dermatitis and other chronic allergic diseases of the skin. During the years there was build up a diagnostic and therapeutic network for early capture, treatment and systematic care of patients with allergic airway diseases. All this was reflected in teaching of medical students and in continuing education of medical doctors and specialists.