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Drugs & Diseases > Dermatology
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Updated: Jul 26, 2017
Author: Savina Aneja, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD more...
Practice Essentials
Contact dermatitis is an acute or chronic skin inammation caused by cutaneous
interaction with a chemical, biologic, or physical agent. Contact dermatitis after a
single exposure or multiple exposures may be irritant or allergenicclinically it
may be difficult to differentiate between these processes. Irritant contact dermatitis
(ICD) is caused by direct tissue damage following a single exposure or multiple
exposures to a known irritant. By contrast, in allergic contact dermatitis, tissue
damage by allergic substances is mediated through immunologic mechanisms. A
complete history related to exposures at home, the workplace, and in recreational
activities is essential to making the diagnosis and identifying the causative agent.
Acutely, eczematous or nonspecific dermatitis is the most common clinical
expression of this induced inammation. The severity of the dermatitis ranges from
a mild, short-lived condition to a severe, persistent, job-threatening, and possibly
life-threatening disease. Treatment of both irritant contact dermatitis and allergic
contact dermatitis begins with removal of the offending substance(s).
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American
College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology published updated clinical practice
guidelines on contact dermatitis in 2015. [1] Recommendations pertaining
specifically to irritant contact dermatitis are briefly summarized in the Guidelines
section.
Next: Background
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