Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Aka: Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Contact Urticaria
II. Pathophysiology
- Only occurs in genetically predisposed person
- Agent specific immunologic cell-mediated response
- Requires sensitization
- Reaction can be induced by over 3000 chemical agents
III. Course
- Develops 24-48 hours after exposure (6 hours to 7 days)
- Can develop after years of continued exposure
- Resolves after 2-3 weeks
IV. Causes: Common
- Nickel (less expensive jewelry)
- Reaction occurs in 6% of persons exposed
- Consider Patch Testing for nickel allergy
- Nickel allergic patients can test jewelry for nickel
- Spot test is commercially available
- Consider irritant dermatitis from jewelry
- Remove Jewelry when washing hands
- Jewelry traps soap and lotions
- Black hair dye
- Topical medications
- Mycolog
- Neomycin
- Benzocaine
- Ethylenediamine
- Merthiolate (Thimerosal)
- Latex Allergy (10-17% of health care workers)
- Rhus Dermatitis (reaction in 70% of those exposed)
- Cosmetics (Fragrances and preservatives)
- Occupational exposures
- Potassium dichromate (cement, dyes, textiles)
- Welders
- Painters, dyers, leather tanners, lithographers
- Battery workers
- Epoxy resin (adhesives, electrical casings)
- High-tech workers (e.g. computers)
- Cable workers
- Pipe workers
- Rosin (adhesives)
- Rubber (thiuram, mercaptobenzothiazole, Carbamate)
- Surgery and cosmetic (acrylates: methyl methacrylate)
- Dentists and Dental Technicians
- Orthopedic surgeons
- Dyes
- Glyceryl monothioglycolate
- Para-phenylene diamine (in paint-on Tattoos)
- Potassium dichromate (cement, dyes, textiles)
- Sports participation
V. Causes: Tattoo related reactions
- Topical antibiotic reaction (e.g. Neosporin)
- Dye reaction
- Mercuric Sulfide (Red): Irritant
- Cadmium (Yellow): Photo-reaction to sunlight
VI. Symptoms
- Severe Pruritus (early symptom)
- Mild Pain or Burning at dermatitis site
VII. Signs
- Marked erythema and edema
- Sharply demarcated lesion
- Distribution is single most important clue
- Numerous Vesicles
- Contrast with Pustules in Irritant Contact Dermatitis
VIII. Resources
- Haz-Map (Occupational Exposure Database)
IX. References
- Habif (1996) Clinical Dermatology, p. 84-94
- Lushniak (2000) Prim Care 27(4):895-916 [PubMed]
- Peate (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(6):1025-40 [PubMed]