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Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Therapeutic Management

  • Contact Dermatitis (M Gonçalo, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Allergy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common condition and may entail negative impacts on people’s quality of life along with a substantial economic burden. Appropriately managing it through patient education, allergen avoidance, and symptomatic treatment is crucial for its resolution. Our review aims to establish a practical approach to ACD management, based on a comprehensive discussion of available therapeutic options for ACD, a review of the latest findings in this field, and personal insights from our clinical practice experience.

Recent Findings

Topical treatments constitute the first-line therapy for ACD. Randomized clinical trials have shown topical corticosteroids to improve clinical and nonclinical outcomes, while tacrolimus has proven effective and safe. Evidence is lacking for oral corticosteroids in ACD sufferers, so recommendations for its use are primarily based on results obtained in dermatitis of other etiologies. In contrast, some studies have assessed azathioprine and phototherapy for ACD.

Summary

Patient education and allergen avoidance are paramount for managing ACD. However, individualized symptomatic treatment is warranted in several clinical situations. Although these treatments are widely used in clinical practice, few studies support their use for ACD. Further research is needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

    I. Poveda-Montoyo MD, P. J. Álvarez-Chinchilla MD & J. F. Silvestre MD

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  1. I. Poveda-Montoyo MD
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  2. P. J. Álvarez-Chinchilla MD
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  3. J. F. Silvestre MD
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Correspondence to I. Poveda-Montoyo MD.

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Inés Poveda-Montoyo declares that he has no conflict of interest. P. J. Álvarez-Chinchilla declares that he has no conflict of interest. J. F. Silvestre declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Contact Dermatitis

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Poveda-Montoyo, I., Álvarez-Chinchilla, P.J. & Silvestre, J.F. Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Therapeutic Management. Curr Treat Options Allergy 5, 140–153 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40521-018-0156-6

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