ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS

CONTACT ECZEMA

This is a pruritic, inflamed skin reaction, which presents as a well-demarcated and localized patch of skin change, denoting ‘contact' area with an allergen. Contact eczema can have a more diffuse, patchy distribution, which mainly depends on the allergen and its spread/dissemination in the environment and use by the patient. The allergen responsible for the allergic contact eczema can be found through patch testing. Poison ivy is the well-known agent of contact eczema, and usually presents in a severe form.

 

Top Ten Allergens as Identified by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group

Nickel sulfate

Neomycin sulfate

Balsam of Peru

Fragrance mix

Thimerosal

Sodium gold thiosulfate

Formaldehyde

Quaternium-15

Cobalt chloride

Bactracin

 

Other very common allergens identified by the group:

Carba mix

Etyleneurea

Thuran mix

Propylene glycol

Lanolin

Diazolidinyl urea

Cinnamic aldehyde

Potassium dichromate