Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) involves the penetration of an allergen through the skin surface where it acts as a hapten by binding to epidermal proteins and eliciting, a delayed Type IV hypersensitivity reaction 48 to 120 hours after exposure. This immunologic response involves the activation of Th1 cells with the subsequent release of cytokines resulting in the classic inflammatory reaction.

INTRODUCTION This is an epidemiologic study to compare allergic contact dermatitis patients in the private and subsidized clinics. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients diagnosed to have allergic contact dermatitis in the National Skin Centre from January 1999 to June 1999 were studied retrospectively. RESULTS More private patients were evaluated for allergic contact dermatitis than subsidized ...

: Occupational contact dermatitis accounts for 90% of all cases of work-related cutaneous disorders. It can be divided into irritant contact dermatitis, which occurs in 80% of cases, and allergic contact dermatitis. In most cases, both types will present as eczematous lesions on exposed parts of the body, notably the hands. Accurate diagnosis relies on meticulous history taking, thorough physic...

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common occupational and environmental health issue. In common with other forms of allergy the disease progresses in two stages; an initial phase during which sensitization is acquired, followed later (after subsequent exposure to the same chemical allergen) by elicitation of a cutaneous inflammatory reaction. The development of skin sensitization is associ...

Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition induced by exposure to an environmental agent. Eczema and dermatitis are used synonymously to denote a polymorphous pattern of skin inflammation characterized at least in its acute phase by erythema, vesiculation and pruritus. Substances responsible for contact dermatitis after single or multiple exposures are non protein chemicals, i.e. hapt...

Natural vitamin E is suggested to have an antioxidant function. However, the synthetic form of vitamin E, DL-tocopherol, which has been widely used in topical ointments, may cause allergic contact dermatitis. Here, we report a case of allergic contact dermatitis with erythema multiforme-like eruption caused by a topical ointment. Patch testing indicated a positive allergic reaction to an anti-i...

Irritant contact dermatitis is a result of activated innate immune response to various external stimuli and consists of complex interplay which involves skin barrier disruption, cellular changes, and release of proinflammatory mediators. In this review, we will focus on key cytokines and chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of irritant contact dermatitis and also contrast the differences bet...

Contact dermatitis or eczema is a polymorphic inflammation of the skin. It occurs at the site of contact with irritating or antigenic substances. In the acute phase there is occurrence of itching erythema, papules, and vesicles, whereas in the chronic phase there is dryness, hyperkeratosis, and sometimes fissures. Contact dermatitis can be divided into irritant and allergic types. Allergic cont...

Despite the fact that feline allergic skin diseases are common conditions, our understanding of allergic skin diseases in cats have been growing very slowly compared to dogs. The most common allergic skin diseases in cats are flea allergy dermatitis, cutaneous adverse food reactions (food allergies) and atopic dermatitis. Others less common include mosquito bite hypersensitivity and contact der...