Contact Dermatitis Disease Summary

Overview

Contact dermatitis is any skin disorder brought about by contact with an exogenous substance that triggers an allergic and/or irritant response.
In allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), the specific signs and symptoms will depend on the duration, location, degree of sensitivity and concentration of allergens; while in irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), the lesions are usually sharply defined at contact sites.
Patch testing is the gold standard test in a patient wherein ACD is suspected.
Topical corticosteroids are usually effective for most cases of ACD.

For further information regarding the management of Contact Dermatitis, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.