Clinically relevant contact allergens in the modern era

Occupational Contact Dermatitis: An Update

Occupation contact dermatitis (CD) is a common inflammatory skin condition impacting every professional industry in the United States. It is associated with significant personal and professional distress, loss of revenue, and decreased productivity. Occupational CD is further subdivided into irritant CD and allergic CD. Frequently, workers may suffer from a combination of both types. Numerous workplace exposures are implicated, but there are several themes across professions, such as CD related to frequent handwashing and wet work. A detailed occupational history, physical examination, and patch testing can help to make the diagnosis. Treatment includes identification of the substance and avoidance, which often is quite challenging.

A review of contact dermatitis

OBJECTIVE

To familiarize the reader with the mechanisms and causes of contact dermatitis.

DATA SOURCES

Recent research articles, relevant review articles, and case series/reports in English from PubMed database, mostly from 2010 onwards.

STUDY SELECTIONS

Most data were in the form of retrospective studies. Efforts were made to include clinical trials; however, for newer allergens and data on biologics, case series and case reports were included. Older studies regarding the mechanism were included if they were of particular importance.

RESULTS

An understanding of this review should enable the reader to approach the patient with unknown dermatitis with a better understanding of the cause and management.

CONCLUSION

Clinical suspicion for relevant allergens combined with the interpretation of patch tests are important in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with contact dermatitis.