Contact Dermatitis Flashcards
Clinical Feature
cutaneous inflammation caused by an external agent(s)
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Mechanism of Reaction
Toxic injury to skin; non-immune mechanism
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Type of Reaction
Erythema, dryness, fine scale, burning
Acute: quick reaction, sharp margins (e.g. from
acid/alkali exposure)
Cumulative insult: slow to appear, poorly
defined margins (e.g. from soap), more
common
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Frequency
Majority; will occur in anyone given sufficient
concentration of irritants
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Distribution
Hands are the most common site
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Examples
Soaps, weak alkali, detergents, organic
solvents, alcohol, oils
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Management
Avoidance of irritants
Wet compresses with Burrow’s solution
Barrier moisturizers
Topical/oral steroids
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Mechanism of Reaction
Cell-mediated delayed (Type IV) hypersensitivity
reaction (see Rheumatology, RH2)
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Type of Reaction
Erythema with a papulovesicular eruption, swelling,
pruritus
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Frequency
Minority; patient acquires susceptibility to allergen
that persists indefinitely
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Distribution
Areas exposed to allergen
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Examples
Many allergens are irritants, so may coincide with
irritant dermatitis
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Management
Patch testing to determine specific allergen
Avoid allergen and its cross-reactants
Wet compresses soaked in Burrow’s solution
(drying agent)
Topical steroids BID prn
Systemic steroids prn if extensive
