A group of Japanese atopic dermatitis patients and their families set up an online conference room to exchange information on treatment -- then asked doctors for their opinion.

Cosmos Net, managed by Hiroaki Mitani, was created in 1997 and has since racked up more than 280,000 hits.

While the number of visitors to the site rose sharply after doctors began to participate, some medical professionals are concerned about offering their wisdom in such an unfamiliar forum.