Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease frequently associated with allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Controversial linkage findings between atopy and markers at chromosome 11q13 led us to search chromosome 11 for genes conferring susceptibility to atopic dermatitis and atopy. Twelve families were investigated using highly polymorphic markers and a powerful model-free linkage test. Two markers gave evidence for linkage, D11S903 (P = 0.02) and FCER1B (P = 0.005). A two-point lod-score analysis between these two markers revealed significant evidence for linkage (zmax = 4.02 at (theta = 0.0). In regard to model-dependent lod-score analyses between atopic disorders and FCER1B, two-point analysis gave a lod score of z = 0.78 whereas two-locus analysis using a recessive-dominant mode of inheritance displayed a significant lod score of z = 3.55. Only 2 of 12 families showed evidence for linkage using the latter oligogenic model. In conclusion, the results of our study map the FCER1B gene in close proximity to D11S903, support the finding of Cookson et al. implicating the IgE high-affinity receptor gene (FCER1B) at 11q13, and furthermore suggest an oligogenic mode of inheritance as well as heterogeneity in the genetic susceptibility to atopy and atopic dermatitis.