Prednisolone vs. Ciclosporine in Severe Atopic Eczema

Inclusion Criteria: * male and female patients age \>= 18 and \< 55 * weight between 50 and 100 kg * confirmed diagnosis of AE (UK working party criteria) * objective SCORAD \> 40 * DLQI \> 10 * resistancy against topical treatment options including steroids and calcineurin-inhibitors Exclusion Criteria: * participation to another clinical trial within the last 4 weeks before baseline * pregnant or breastfeeding * women of childbearing potential without adequate contraception * allergy against prednisolone or Ciclosporine A * acute bacterial or viral infection * malignant tumor in personal history * diabetes mellitus * arterial hypertension * Glaucoma * peptic ulcer * severe osteoporosis * tuberculosis in personal history * colitis ulcerosa * diverticulitis * concurrent treatment with chloroquin, Mefloquin, Statins, Warafin * Creatinin Clearance \< 60 ml /min * UV treatment within 8 weeks before inclusion * ongoing systemic immunosuppressive treatment * planned vaccination within 8 weeks before study entry, during study and 2 weeks after end of study * Poliomyelitis * Lymphadenitis after BCG vaccination * Hyperuricaemia * chronic liver disease * Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockaye-Syndrome, Bloom Syndrome * Psychiatric co-morbidity * drug or alcohol abuse