This invention provides a method of preventing or treating in a subject contact dermatitis which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a compound capable of inhibiting the stem cell factor signaling pathway effective to prevent or treating contact dermatitis so as to thereby prevent or treat contact dermatitis in the subject. This invention also provides a method of preventing or treating in a subject hyperpigmentation, asthma, cutaneous inflammation, anaphylaxis and bronchospasm, mastocytosis, tumors which express activated kit, and conception.
