Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Clinical Aspects of Irritant Contact Dermatitis

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Contact Dermatitis

  • 248 Accesses

Abstract

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is more common than allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). It ranges from acute irritant reactions to chronic forms, often morphologically indistinguishable from ACD. Numerous exogenous and endogenous factors are involved in the pathogenesis of ICD. Major irritants are water, detergents, and acidic and alkaline substances of various natures. Mechanical, thermal, and climatic influences are important contributory or sometimes even causative factors. In particular chronic ICD is a diagnostic challenge and may be complicated by secondary sensitization to environmental allergens. Therapy and prevention require identification of irritants followed by elimination or reduction of skin contact, e.g., by personal protective equipment, organizational, or technical measures. Some topical medications and skin care products may cause subjective discomfort (“stinging”) without clinical signs of irritation. This is considered to be a special form of neurosensory irritation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bruze M, Emmett EA (1990) Occupational exposures to irritants. In: Jackson EM, Goldner R (eds) Irritant contact dermatitis. Dekker, New York, pp 81–106

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rycroft RJ (1998) The principal irritants and sensitizers. In: Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG, Champion RH, Burton JL, Burns DA, Breathnach SM (eds) Textbook of dermatology, 6th edn. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 821–860

    Google Scholar 

  3. Adams RM (1999) Occupational skin disease. Philadelphia, Saunders

    Google Scholar 

  4. Tsai TF, Maibach HI (1999) How irritant is water? An overview. Contact Dermatitis 41:311–314

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Tokumura F, Umekage K, Sado M et al (2005) Skin irritation due to repetitive application of adhesive tape: the influence of adhesive strength and seasonal variability. Skin Res Technol 11:102–106

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Atherton DJ (2004) A review of the pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of irritant diaper dermatitis. Curr Med Res Opin 20:645–649

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kügler K, Brinkmeier T, Frosch PJ et al (2005) Anogenital dermatoses – allergic and irritative causative factors. Analysis of IVDK data and review of the literature. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 3:979–986

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Swinnen I, Goossens A (2013) An update on airborne contact dermatitis: 2007–2011. Contact Dermatitis 68:232–238

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Breuer K, Uter W, Geier J (2015) Epidemiological data on airborne contact dermatitis – results of the IVDK. Contact Dermatitis 73:239–247

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Schloemer JA, Zirwas MJ, Burkhart CG (2015) Airborne contact dermatitis: common causes in the USA. Int J Dermatol 54:271–274

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Malten KE, den Arend JA, Wiggers RE (1979) Delayed irritation: hexanediol diacrylate and butanediol diacrylate. Contact Dermatitis 5:178–184

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Frosch PJ, Rustemeyer T (1999) Contact allergy to calcipotriol does exist. Report of an unequivocal case and review of the literature. Contact Dermatitis 40:66–71

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Basketter DA, Marriott M, Gilmour NJ et al (2004) Strong irritants masquerading as skin allergens: the case of benzalkonium chloride. Contact Dermatitis 50:213–217

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Agner T, Serup J (1990) Sodium lauryl sulphate for irritant patch testing – a dose-response study using bioengineering methods for determination of skin irritation. J Invest Dermatol 95:543–547

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Reiche L, Willis C, Wilkinson J et al (1998) Clinical morphology of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and nonanoic acid (NAA) irritant patch test reactions at 48 h and 96 h in 152 subjects. Contact Dermatitis 39:240–243

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. McMullen E, Gawkrodger DJ (2006) Physical friction is under-recognized as an irritant that can cause or contribute to contact dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 154:154–156

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Johansen JD, Hald M, Andersen BL et al (2011) Classification of hand eczema: clinical and aetiological types. Based on the guideline of the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group. Contact Dermatitis 65:13–21

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Meding B (1990) Epidemiology of hand eczema in an industrial city. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) 153:1–43

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Agner T, Aalto-Korte K, Andersen KE et al (2015) Classification of hand eczema. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 29:2417–2422

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Schwensen JF, Menne T, Johansen JD (2014) The combined diagnosis of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in a retrospective cohort of 1000 consecutive patients with occupational contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 71:356–363

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Behroozy A, Keegel TG (2014) Wet-work exposure: a main risk factor for occupational hand dermatitis. Saf Health Work 5:175–180

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Meding B, Anveden Berglind I, Alderling M et al (2015) Water exposure – challenging differences between occupations. Contact Dermatitis 74:22–28

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Meding B, Lindahl G, Alderling M et al (2013) Is skin exposure to water mainly occupational or nonoccupational? A population-based study. Br J Dermatol 168:1281–1286

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Diepgen TL (2012) Occupational skin diseases. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 10:297–313. quiz 314–295

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Visser MJ, Verberk MM, van Dijk FJ et al (2014) Wet work and hand eczema in apprentice nurses; part I of a prospective cohort study. Contact Dermatitis 70:44–55

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Uter W, Pfahlberg A, Gefeller O et al (1999) Hand dermatitis in a prospectively-followed cohort of hairdressing apprentices: final results of the POSH study. Prevention of occupational skin disease in hairdressers. Contact Dermatitis 41:280–286

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Ibler KS, Jemec GB, Agner T (2012) Exposures related to hand eczema: a study of healthcare workers. Contact Dermatitis 66:247–253

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hamnerius N, Svedman C, Bergendorff O et al (2018) Wet work exposure and hand eczema among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study. Br J Dermatol 178:452–461

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Dickel H, Kuss O, Schmidt A et al (2002) Importance of irritant contact dermatitis in occupational skin disease. Am J Clin Dermatol 3:283–289

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Goad N, Gawkrodger DJ (2016) Ambient humidity and the skin: the impact of air humidity in healthy and diseased states. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 30:1285–1294

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Engebretsen KA, Johansen JD, Kezic S et al (2016) The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 30:223–249

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Rycroft RJ, Smith WD (1980) Low humidity occupational dermatoses. Contact Dermatitis 6:488–492

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Leggat PA, Smith DR (2006) Dermatitis and aircrew. Contact Dermatitis 54:1–4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Uter W, Gefeller O, Schwanitz HJ (1998) An epidemiological study of the influence of season (cold and dry air) on the occurrence of irritant skin changes of the hands. Br J Dermatol 138:266–272

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Callahan A, Baron E, Fekedulegn D et al (2013) Winter season, frequent hand washing, and irritant patch test reactions to detergents are associated with hand dermatitis in health care workers. Dermatitis 24:170–175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Agner T, Serup J (1989) Seasonal variation of skin resistance to irritants. Br J Dermatol 121:323–328

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Basketter DA, Griffiths HA, Wang XM et al (1996) Individual, ethnic and seasonal variability in irritant susceptibility of skin: the implications for a predictive human patch test. Contact Dermatitis 35:208–213

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Veien NK, Hattel T, Laurberg G (1997) Low-humidity dermatosis from car heaters. Contact Dermatitis 37:138

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Morris-Jones R, Robertson SJ, Ross JS et al (2002) Dermatitis caused by physical irritants. Br J Dermatol 147:270–275

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Berndt U, Hinnen U, Iliev D et al (2000) Hand eczema in metalworker trainees – an analysis of risk factors. Contact Dermatitis 43:327–332

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Jungersted JM, Hogh JK, Hellgren LI et al (2010) Skin barrier response to occlusion of healthy and irritated skin: differences in trans-epidermal water loss, erythema and stratum corneum lipids. Contact Dermatitis 63:313–319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Tiedemann D, Clausen ML, John SM et al (2015) Effect of glove occlusion on the skin barrier. Contact Dermatitis 74:2–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Fartasch M, Taeger D, Broding HC et al (2012) Evidence of increased skin irritation after wet work: impact of water exposure and occlusion. Contact Dermatitis 67:217–228

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Ramsing DW, Agner T (1996) Effect of glove occlusion on human skin. (I). Short-term experimental exposure. Contact Dermatitis 34:1–5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Van der Valk PG, Maibach HI (1989) Post-application occlusion substantially increases the irritant response of the skin to repeated short-term sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) exposure. Contact Dermatitis 21:335–338

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Antonov D, Kleesz P, Elsner P et al (2013) Impact of glove occlusion on cumulative skin irritation with or without hand cleanser-comparison in an experimental repeated irritation model. Contact Dermatitis 68:293–299

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Fluhr JW, Akengin A, Bornkessel A et al (2005) Additive impairment of the barrier function by mechanical irritation, occlusion and sodium lauryl sulphate in vivo. Br J Dermatol 153:125–131

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Bock M, Damer K, Wulfhorst B et al (2009) Semipermeable glove membranes – effects on skin barrier repair following SLS irritation. Contact Dermatitis 61:276–280

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Wulfhorst B, Schwanitz HJ, Bock M (2004) Optimizing skin protection with semipermeable gloves. Dermatitis 15:184–191

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Wilkinson DS (1985) Dermatitis from repeated trauma to the skin. Am J Ind Med 8:307–317

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Friis UF, Menne T, Schwensen JF et al (2014) Occupational irritant contact dermatitis diagnosed by analysis of contact irritants and allergens in the work environment. Contact Dermatitis 71:364–370

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Mortz CG, Bindslev-Jensen C, Andersen KE (2014) Hand eczema in The Odense Adolescence Cohort Study on Atopic Diseases and Dermatitis (TOACS): prevalence, incidence and risk factors from adolescence to adulthood. Br J Dermatol 171:313–323

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Diepgen TL, Andersen KE, Brandao FM et al (2009) Hand eczema classification: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of the aetiology and morphology of hand eczema. Br J Dermatol 160:353–358

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Skoet R, Olsen J, Mathiesen B et al (2004) A survey of occupational hand eczema in Denmark. Contact Dermatitis 51:159–166

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Jungbauer FH, van der Vleuten P, Groothoff JW et al (2004) Irritant hand dermatitis: severity of disease, occupational exposure to skin irritants and preventive measures 5 years after initial diagnosis. Contact Dermatitis 50:245–251

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Apfelbacher C, Molin S, Weisshaar E et al (2014) Characteristics and provision of care in patients with chronic hand eczema: updated data from the CARPE registry. Acta Derm Venereol 94:163–167

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Belsito DV (2005) Occupational contact dermatitis: etiology, prevalence, and resultant impairment/disability. J Am Acad Dermatol 53:303–313

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Beltrani VS (2003) Occupational dermatoses. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 3:115–123

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Dickel H, John SM (2003) Ratio of irritant contact dermatitis to allergic contact dermatitis in occupational skin disease. J Am Acad Dermatol 49:360–361. author reply 361–362

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Goon AT, Goh CL (2000) Epidemiology of occupational skin disease in Singapore 1989–1998. Contact Dermatitis 43:133–136

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Brans R, Schroder-Kraft C, Skudlik C et al (2019) Tertiary prevention of occupational skin diseases: prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and pattern of patch test results. Contact Dermatitis 80:35–44

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Schwensen JF, Friis UF, Menne T et al (2013) One thousand cases of severe occupational contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 68:259–268

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Welss T, Basketter DA, Schroder KR (2004) In vitro skin irritation: facts and future. State of the art review of mechanisms and models. Toxicol In Vitro 18:231–243

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Jakasa I, Thyssen JP, Kezic S (2018) The role of skin barrier in occupational contact dermatitis. Exp Dermatol 27:909–914

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Gittler JK, Krueger JG, Guttman-Yassky E (2013) Atopic dermatitis results in intrinsic barrier and immune abnormalities: implications for contact dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 131:300–313

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Boxman IL, Hensbergen PJ, Van Der Schors RC et al (2002) Proteomic analysis of skin irritation reveals the induction of HSP27 by sodium lauryl sulphate in human skin. Br J Dermatol 146:777–785

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Zhang Q, Dai T, Zhang L et al (2011) Identification of potential biomarkers for predicting acute dermal irritation by proteomic analysis. J Appl Toxicol 31:762–772

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Nakai K, Yoneda K, Kubota Y (2012) Oxidative stress in allergic and irritant dermatitis: from basic research to clinical management. Recent Patents Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov 6:202–209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Kumari V, Babina M, Hazzan T et al (2015) Thymic stromal lymphopoietin induction by skin irritation is independent of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, but supported by interleukin-1. Br J Dermatol 172:951–960

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Kendall AC, Pilkington SM, Sassano G et al (2016) N-acyl ethanolamide and eicosanoid involvement in irritant dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 175:163–171

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Bandier J, Ross-Hansen K, Carlsen BC et al (2016) Quantification of epidermal filaggrin in human skin and its response to skin irritation. J Invest Dermatol 136:1296–1299

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Soltanipoor M, Stilla T, Riethmuller C et al (2018) Specific barrier response profiles after experimentally induced skin irritation in vivo. Contact Dermatitis 79:59–66

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Okuda M, Yoshiike T, Ogawa H (2002) Detergent-induced epidermal barrier dysfunction and its prevention. J Dermatol Sci 30:173–179

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Rowse DH, Emmett EA (2004) Solvents and the skin. Clin Occup Environ Med 4:657–730. vi

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Heinemann C, Paschold C, Fluhr J et al (2005) Induction of a hardening phenomenon by repeated application of SLS: analysis of lipid changes in the stratum corneum. Acta Derm Venereol 85:290–295

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Watkins SA, Maibach HI (2009) The hardening phenomenon in irritant contact dermatitis: an interpretative update. Contact Dermatitis 60:123–130

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Fluhr JW, Kelterer D, Fuchs S et al (2005) Additive impairment of the barrier function and irritation by biogenic amines and sodium lauryl sulphate: a controlled in vivo tandem irritation study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 18:88–97

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Kartono F, Maibach HI (2006) Irritants in combination with a synergistic or additive effect on the skin response: an overview of tandem irritation studies. Contact Dermatitis 54:303–312

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Schliemann S, Schmidt C, Elsner P (2014) Tandem repeated application of organic solvents and sodium lauryl sulphate enhances cumulative skin irritation. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 27:158–163

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Reddy R, Maibach H (2018) Tandem Repeated Irritation Test (TRIT) studies and clinical relevance: post 2006. Cutan Ocul Toxicol 38:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15569527.2018

  81. McFadden JP, Holloway DB, Whittle EG et al (2000) Benzalkonium chloride neutralizes the irritant effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Contact Dermatitis 43:264–266

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Schliemann-Willers S, Fuchs S, Kleesz P et al (2005) Fruit acids do not enhance sodium lauryl sulphate-induced cumulative irritant contact dermatitis in vivo. Acta Derm Venereol 85:206–210

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Feldman RJ, Maibach HI (1967) Regional variations in percutaneous absorption of 14 C cortisol in man. J Invest Dermatol 48:181–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Cua AB, Wilhelm KP, Maibach HI (1990) Cutaneous sodium lauryl sulphate irritation potential: age and regional variability. Br J Dermatol 123:607–613

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Frosch PJ, Duncan S, Kligman AM (1980) Cutaneous biometrics I. The response of human skin to dimethyl sulphoxide. Br J Dermatol 103:263–274

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Sorensen JA, Clemmensen KK, Nixon RL et al (2015) Tobacco smoking and hand eczema – is there an association? Contact Dermatitis 73:326–335

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Molin S, Ruzicka T, Herzinger T (2015) Smoking is associated with combined allergic and irritant hand eczema, contact allergies and hyperhidrosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 29:2483–2486

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Brans R, Skudlik C, Weisshaar E et al (2014) Association between tobacco smoking and prognosis of occupational hand eczema: a prospective cohort study. Br J Dermatol 171:1108–1115

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Kütting B, Uter W, Weistenhofer W et al (2011) Does smoking have a significant impact on early irritant hand dermatitis in metal workers? Dermatology 222:375–380

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Dickel H, Bruckner TM, Schmidt A et al (2003) Impact of atopic skin diathesis on occupational skin disease incidence in a working population. J Invest Dermatol 121:37–40

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Coenraads PJ, Diepgen TL (1998) Risk for hand eczema in employees with past or present atopic dermatitis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 71:7–13

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Löffler H, Effendy I (1999) Skin susceptibility of atopic individuals. Contact Dermatitis 40:239–242

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Kezic S, Visser MJ, Verberk MM (2009) Individual susceptibility to occupational contact dermatitis. Ind Health 47:469–478

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Visser MJ, Verberk MM, Campbell LE et al (2014) Filaggrin loss-of-function mutations and atopic dermatitis as risk factors for hand eczema in apprentice nurses: part II of a prospective cohort study. Contact Dermatitis 70:139–150

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Angelova-Fischer I, Mannheimer AC, Hinder A et al (2011) Distinct barrier integrity phenotypes in filaggrin-related atopic eczema following sequential tape stripping and lipid profiling. Exp Dermatol 20:351–356

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Cowley NC, Farr PM (1992) A dose-response study of irritant reactions to sodium lauryl sulphate in patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis and atopic eczema. Acta Derm Venereol 72:432–435

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Angelova-Fischer I, Hoek AK, Dapic I et al (2015) Barrier function and natural moisturizing factor levels after cumulative exposure to a fruit-derived organic acid and a detergent: different outcomes in atopic and healthy skin and relevance for occupational contact dermatitis in the food industry. Contact Dermatitis 73:358–363

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Nassif A, Chan SC, Storrs FJ et al (1994) Abnormal skin irritancy in atopic dermatitis and in atopy without dermatitis. Arch Dermatol 130:1402–1407

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Bandier J, Carlsen BC, Rasmussen MA et al (2015) Skin reaction and regeneration after single sodium lauryl sulfate exposure stratified by filaggrin genotype and atopic dermatitis phenotype. Br J Dermatol 172:1519–1529

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Gallacher G, Maibach HI (1998) Is atopic dermatitis a predisposing factor for experimental acute irritant contact dermatitis? Contact Dermatitis 38:1–4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Tupker RA (2003) Prediction of irritancy in the human skin irritancy model and occupational setting. Contact Dermatitis 49:61–69

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Conti A, Di Nardo A, Seidenari S (1996) No alteration of biophysical parameters in the skin of subjects with respiratory atopy. Dermatology 192:317–320

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Marriott M, Holmes J, Peters L et al (2005) The complex problem of sensitive skin. Contact Dermatitis 53:93–99

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Frosch PJ, Wissing C (1982) Cutaneous sensitivity to ultraviolet light and chemical irritants. Arch Dermatol Res 272:269–278

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Hamami I, Marks R (1988) Structural determinants of the response of the skin to chemical irritants. Contact Dermatitis 18:71–75

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  106. di Nardo A, Sugino K, Wertz P et al (1996) Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) induced irritant contact dermatitis: a correlation study between ceramides and in vivo parameters of irritation. Contact Dermatitis 35:86–91

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  107. de Jongh CM, John SM, Bruynzeel DP et al (2008) Cytokine gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic irritant contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 58:269–277

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  108. Landeck L, Visser M, Kezic S et al (2012) Impact of tumour necrosis factor-alpha polymorphisms on irritant contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 66:221–227

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  109. Allen MH, Wakelin SH, Holloway D et al (2000) Association of TNFA gene polymorphism at position −308 with susceptibility to irritant contact dermatitis. Immunogenetics 51:201–205

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Davis JA, Visscher MO, Wickett RR et al (2010) Influence of tumour necrosis factor-alpha polymorphism-308 and atopy on irritant contact dermatitis in healthcare workers. Contact Dermatitis 63:320–332

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  111. Davis JA, Visscher MO, Wickett RR et al (2011) Role of TNF-alpha polymorphism −308 in neurosensory irritation. Int J Cosmet Sci 33:105–112

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. de Jongh CM, Khrenova L, Kezic S et al (2008) Polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 gene influence the stratum corneum interleukin-1 alpha concentration in uninvolved skin of patients with chronic irritant contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 58:263–268

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  113. Landeck L, Visser M, Kezic S et al (2013) IL1A-889 C/T gene polymorphism in irritant contact dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 27:1040–1043

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Sandilands A, Sutherland C, Irvine AD et al (2009) Filaggrin in the frontline: role in skin barrier function and disease. J Cell Sci 122:1285–1294

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  115. Palmer CN, Irvine AD, Terron-Kwiatkowski A et al (2006) Common loss-of-function variants of the epidermal barrier protein filaggrin are a major predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis. Nat Genet 38:441–446

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. de Jongh CM, Khrenova L, Verberk MM et al (2008) Loss-of-function polymorphisms in the filaggrin gene are associated with an increased susceptibility to chronic irritant contact dermatitis: a case-control study. Br J Dermatol 159:621–627

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  117. Visser MJ, Landeck L, Campbell LE et al (2013) Impact of atopic dermatitis and loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene on the development of occupational irritant contact dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 168:326–332

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  118. Timmerman JG, Heederik D, Spee T et al (2016) Contact dermatitis in the construction industry: the role of filaggrin loss-of-function mutations. Br J Dermatol 174:348–355

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  119. Bandier J, Ross-Hansen K, Carlsen BC et al (2013) Carriers of filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations avoid professional exposure to irritants in adulthood. Contact Dermatitis 69:355–362

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  120. Landeck L, Visser M, Skudlik C et al (2012) Clinical course of occupational irritant contact dermatitis of the hands in relation to filaggrin genotype status and atopy. Br J Dermatol 167:1302–1309

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  121. Yucesoy B, Talzhanov Y, Barmada MM et al (2016) Genetic basis of irritant susceptibility in health care workers. J Occup Environ Med 58:753–759

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  122. Yucesoy B, Talzhanov Y, Michael Barmada M et al (2016) Association of MHC region SNPs with irritant susceptibility in healthcare workers. J Immunotoxicol 13:738–744

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  123. John SM (2006) Primary and acquired sensitive skin. In: Berardesca E, Fluhr J, Maibach HI (eds) The sensitive skin syndrome. Taylor & Francis, New York, pp 129–147

    Google Scholar 

  124. Choi JM, Lee JY, Cho BK (2000) Chronic irritant contact dermatitis: recovery time in man. Contact Dermatitis 42:264–269

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  125. Darr-Foit S, Tittelbach J, Elsner P (2014) Posttraumatic irritant contact dermatitis – an underdiagnosed entity? J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 12:347–348

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  126. Lammintausta K, Maibach HI, Wilson D (1987) Irritant reactivity in males and females. Contact Dermatitis 17:276–280

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  127. Berardesca E, Maibach H (2003) Ethnic skin: overview of structure and function. J Am Acad Dermatol 48:S139–S142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  128. Berardesca E, Maibach HI (1988) Racial differences in sodium lauryl sulphate induced cutaneous irritation: black and white. Contact Dermatitis 18:65–70

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Berardesca E, Maibach HI (1988) Sodium-lauryl-sulphate-induced cutaneous irritation. Comparison of white and Hispanic subjects. Contact Dermatitis 19:136–140

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  130. Weigand DA, Haygood C, Gaylor JR (1974) Cell layers and density of Negro and Caucasian stratum corneum. J Invest Dermatol 62:563–568

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  131. Lee E, Kim S, Lee J et al (2014) Ethnic differences in objective and subjective skin irritation response: an international study. Skin Res Technol 20:265–269

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  132. Seyfarth F, Schliemann S, Antonov D et al (2011) Dry skin, barrier function, and irritant contact dermatitis in the elderly. Clin Dermatol 29:31–36

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  133. Schwindt DA, Wilhelm KP, Miller DL et al (1998) Cumulative irritation in older and younger skin: a comparison. Acta Derm Venereol 78:279–283

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  134. Angelova-Fischer I, Becker V, Fischer TW et al (2012) Tandem repeated irritation in aged skin induces distinct barrier perturbation and cytokine profile in vivo. Br J Dermatol 167:787–793

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  135. Roskos KV, Maibach HI, Guy RH (1989) The effect of aging on percutaneous absorption in man. J Pharmacokinet Biopharm 17:617–630

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  136. Menne T, Johansen JD, Sommerlund M et al (2011) Hand eczema guidelines based on the Danish guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hand eczema. Contact Dermatitis 65:3–12

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  137. Uter W, Bauer A, Bensefa-Colas L et al (2018) Extended documentation for hand dermatitis patients: pilot study on irritant exposures. Contact Dermatitis 79:168–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  138. Frings VG, Boer-Auer A, Breuer K (2018) Histomorphology and immunophenotype of eczematous skin lesions revisited-skin biopsies are not reliable in differentiating allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis. Am J Dermatopathol 40:7–16

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  139. Swindells K, Burnett N, Rius-Diaz F et al (2004) Reflectance confocal microscopy may differentiate acute allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in vivo. J Am Acad Dermatol 50:220–228

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  140. Boone MA, Jemec GB, Del Marmol V (2015) Differentiating allergic and irritant contact dermatitis by high-definition optical coherence tomography: a pilot study. Arch Dermatol Res 307:11–22

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  141. Meller S, Lauerma AI, Kopp FM et al (2007) Chemokine responses distinguish chemical-induced allergic from irritant skin inflammation: memory T cells make the difference. J Allergy Clin Immunol 119:1470–1480

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  142. Koppes SA, Ljubojevic Hadzavdic S, Jakasa I et al (2017) Effect of allergens and irritants on levels of natural moisturizing factor and corneocyte morphology. Contact Dermatitis 76:287–295

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  143. Koppes SA, Ljubojevic Hadzavdic S, Jakasa I et al (2017) Stratum corneum profiles of inflammatory mediators in patch test reactions to common contact allergens and sodium lauryl sulfate. Br J Dermatol 176:1533–1540

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  144. Fluhr JW, Kuss O, Diepgen T et al (2001) Testing for irritation with a multifactorial approach: comparison of eight non-invasive measuring techniques on five different irritation types. Br J Dermatol 145:696–703

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  145. Pinnagoda J, Tupker RA, Coenraads PJ et al (1989) Prediction of susceptibility to an irritant response by transepidermal water loss. Contact Dermatitis 20:341–346

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  146. Nilsson GE, Otto U, Wahlberg JE (1982) Assessment of skin irritancy in man by laser Doppler flowmetry. Contact Dermatitis 8:401–406

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  147. Wahlberg JE (1984) Skin irritancy from alkaline solutions assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Contact Dermatitis 10:111

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  148. Elsner P, Seyfarth F, Antonov D et al (2014) Development of a standardized testing procedure for assessing the irritation potential of occupational skin cleansers. Contact Dermatitis 70:151–157

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  149. Schliemann S, Antonov D, Manegold N et al (2010) The lactic acid stinging test predicts susceptibility to cumulative irritation caused by two lipophilic irritants. Contact Dermatitis 63:347–356

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  150. Wilhelm KP, Surber C, Maibach HI (1989) Quantification of sodium lauryl sulfate irritant dermatitis in man: comparison of four techniques: skin color reflectance, transepidermal water loss, laser Doppler flow measurement and visual scores. Arch Dermatol Res 281:293–295

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  151. Yokota M, Maibach HI (2006) Moisturizer effect on irritant dermatitis: an overview. Contact Dermatitis 55:65–72

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  152. Loden M (1997) Barrier recovery and influence of irritant stimuli in skin treated with a moisturizing cream. Contact Dermatitis 36:256–260

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  153. Saary J, Qureshi R, Palda V et al (2005) A systematic review of contact dermatitis treatment and prevention. J Am Acad Dermatol 53:845

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  154. Kao JS, Fluhr JW, Man MQ et al (2003) Short-term glucocorticoid treatment compromises both permeability barrier homeostasis and stratum corneum integrity: inhibition of epidermal lipid synthesis accounts for functional abnormalities. J Invest Dermatol 120:456–464

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  155. Kolbe L, Kligman AM, Schreiner V et al (2001) Corticosteroid-induced atrophy and barrier impairment measured by non-invasive methods in human skin. Skin Res Technol 7:73–77

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  156. Brasch J, Becker D, Aberer W et al (2014) Guideline contact dermatitis: S1-Guidelines of the German Contact Allergy Group (DKG) of the German Dermatology Society (DDG), the Information Network of Dermatological Clinics (IVDK), the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI), the Working Group for Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (ABD) of the DDG, the Medical Association of German Allergologists (AeDA), the Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD) and the DDG. Allergo J Int 23:126–138

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  157. Diepgen TL, Andersen KE, Chosidow O et al. (2015) Guidelines for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of hand eczema. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 13:e1–e22

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  158. Schliemann S, Kelterer D, Bauer A et al (2008) Tacrolimus ointment in the treatment of occupationally induced chronic hand dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 58:299–306

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  159. Mensing CO, Mensing CH, Mensing H (2008) Treatment with pimecrolimus cream 1% clears irritant dermatitis of the periocular region, face and neck. Int J Dermatol 47:960–964

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  160. Jungersted JM, Hogh JK, Hellegren LI et al (2011) Effects of topical corticosteroid and tacrolimus on ceramides and irritancy to sodium lauryl sulphate in healthy skin. Acta Derm Venereol 91:290–294

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  161. Nicholson PJ, Llewellyn D, English JS (2010) Evidence-based guidelines for the prevention, identification and management of occupational contact dermatitis and urticaria. Contact Dermatitis 63:177–186

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  162. Löffler H, Kampf G, Schmermund D et al (2007) How irritant is alcohol? Br J Dermatol 157:74–81

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  163. Slotosch CM, Kampf G, Löffler H (2007) Effects of disinfectants and detergents on skin irritation. Contact Dermatitis 57:235–241

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  164. Ramsing DW, Agner T (1997) Preventive and therapeutic effects of a moisturizer. An experimental study of human skin. Acta Derm Venereol 77:335–337

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  165. Zhai H, Maibach HI (1998) Moisturizers in preventing irritant contact dermatitis: an overview. Contact Dermatitis 38:241–244

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  166. Fartasch M, Diepgen TL, Drexler H et al (2015) S1 guideline on occupational skin products: protective creams, skin cleansers, skin care products (ICD 10: L23, L24) – short version. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 13:594–606

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  167. Mostosi C, Simonart T (2016) Effectiveness of barrier creams against irritant contact dermatitis. Dermatology 232:353–362

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  168. Goh CL, Gan SL (1994) Efficacies of a barrier cream and an afterwork emollient cream against cutting fluid dermatitis in metalworkers: a prospective study. Contact Dermatitis 31:176–180

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  169. Schliemann S, Kleesz P, Elsner P (2013) Protective creams fail to prevent solvent-induced cumulative skin irritation – results of a randomized double-blind study. Contact Dermatitis 69:363–371

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  170. Frosch PJ, Kurte A (1994) Efficacy of skin barrier creams (IV). The repetitive irritation test (RIT) with a set of 4 standard irritants. Contact Dermatitis 31:161–168

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  171. Zhai H, Willard P, Maibach HI (1999) Putative skin-protective formulations in preventing and/or inhibiting experimentally-produced irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 41:190–192

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  172. Kütting B, Baumeister T, Weistenhofer W et al (2010) Effectiveness of skin protection measures in prevention of occupational hand eczema: results of a prospective randomized controlled trial over a follow-up period of 1 year. Br J Dermatol 162:362–370

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  173. Bauer A, Ronsch H, Elsner P et al (2018) Interventions for preventing occupational irritant hand dermatitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 4:CD004414

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  174. Agner T, Held E (2002) Skin protection programmes. Contact Dermatitis 47:253–256

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  175. Wulfhorst B, Bock M, Gediga G et al (2010) Sustainability of an interdisciplinary secondary prevention program for hairdressers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 83:165–171

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  176. Wilke A, Gediga G, Schlesinger T et al (2012) Sustainability of interdisciplinary secondary prevention in patients with occupational hand eczema: a 5-year follow-up survey. Contact Dermatitis 67:208–216

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  177. Wilke A, Gediga K, Weinhoppel U et al (2012) Long-term effectiveness of secondary prevention in geriatric nurses with occupational hand eczema: the challenge of a controlled study design. Contact Dermatitis 66:79–86

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  178. Skudlik C, Weisshaar E, Scheidt R et al (2009) Multicenter study “Medical-occupational rehabilitation procedure skin – optimizing and quality assurance of inpatient-management (ROQ)”. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 7:122–126

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  179. Brans R, Skudlik C, Weisshaar E et al (2016) Multicentre cohort study ‘Rehabilitation of occupational skin diseases – optimization and quality assurance of inpatient management (ROQ)’: results from a 3-year follow-up. Contact Dermatitis 75:205–212

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  180. Skudlik C, Weisshaar E, Scheidt R et al (2012) First results from the multicentre study rehabilitation of occupational skin diseases – optimization and quality assurance of inpatient management (ROQ). Contact Dermatitis 66:140–147

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  181. Weisshaar E, Skudlik C, Scheidt R et al (2013) Multicentre study ‘rehabilitation of occupational skin diseases -optimization and quality assurance of inpatient management (ROQ)’-results from 12-month follow-up. Contact Dermatitis 68:169–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  182. Frosch P, Kligman AM (1977) A method for appraising the stinging capacity of topically applied substances. J Soc Cosmet Chem 28:197–209

    Google Scholar 

  183. Berardesca E, Farage M, Maibach H (2013) Sensitive skin: an overview. Int J Cosmet Sci 35:2–8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  184. Farage MA, Katsarou A, Maibach HI (2006) Sensory, clinical and physiological factors in sensitive skin: a review. Contact Dermatitis 55:1–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  185. Lee E, An S, Choi D et al (2007) Comparison of objective and sensory skin irritations of several cosmetic preservatives. Contact Dermatitis 56:131–136

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  186. Soschin D, Kligman AM (1982) Adverse subjective reaction. In: Kligman AM, Leyden JJ (eds) Safety and efficacy of topical drugs and cosmetics. Grune and Stratton, New York, pp 3777–3388

    Google Scholar 

  187. Lee E, An S, Lee TR et al (2009) Development of a novel method for quantitative evaluation of sensory skin irritation inhibitors. Skin Res Technol 15:464–469

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  188. Lammintausta K, Maibach HI, Wilson D (1988) Mechanisms of subjective (sensory) irritation. Propensity to non-immunologic contact urticaria and objective irritation in stingers. Derm Beruf Umwelt 36:45–49

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  189. Issachar N, Gall Y, Borrel MT et al (1998) Correlation between percutaneous penetration of methyl nicotinate and sensitive skin, using laser Doppler imaging. Contact Dermatitis 39:182–186

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  190. Schliemann S, Antonov D, Manegold N et al (2011) Sensory irritation caused by two organic solvents-short-time single application and repeated occlusive test in stingers and non-stingers. Contact Dermatitis 65:107–114

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  191. Coverly J, Peters L, Whittle E et al (1998) Susceptibility to skin stinging, non-immunologic contact urticaria and acute skin irritation; is there a relationship? Contact Dermatitis 38:90–95

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  192. Basketter DA, Griffiths HA (1993) A study of the relationship between susceptibility to skin stinging and skin irritation. Contact Dermatitis 29:185–188

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  193. Basketter DA, Wilhelm KP (1996) Studies on non-immune immediate contact reactions in an unselected population. Contact Dermatitis 35:237–240

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  194. Issachar N, Gall Y, Borell MT et al (1997) pH measurements during lactic acid stinging test in normal and sensitive skin. Contact Dermatitis 36:152–155

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  195. Lonne-Rahm S, Berg M, Marin P et al (2004) Atopic dermatitis, stinging, and effects of chronic stress: a pathocausal study. J Am Acad Dermatol 51:899–905

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  196. Laden K (1973) Studies on irritancy and stinging potential. J Soc Cosmet Chem 24:385–393

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany

    Richard Brans & Swen Malte John

  2. Department of Dermatology, Klinikum Dortmund gGmbH and University of Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany

    Peter J. Frosch

Authors
  1. Richard Brans
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Swen Malte John
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter J. Frosch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Brans .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Amtssygehuset Gentofte Dept. Dermatology, Hellerup, Denmark

    Jeanne Duus Johansen

  2. Federal Institute for Vaccines & Biomed, Paul Ehrlich Institut Federal Institute for Vaccines & Biomed, Langen, Bayern, Germany

    Vera Mahler

  3. Institut le Bel Labo. Dermatochimie, Strasbourg CX, France

    Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin

  4. Hautklinik, Städtische Kliniken Dortmund Klinikzentrum Mitte, Dortmund, Germany

    Peter J. Frosch

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Brans, R., John, S.M., Frosch, P.J. (2019). Clinical Aspects of Irritant Contact Dermatitis. In: Johansen, J., Mahler, V., Lepoittevin, JP., Frosch, P. (eds) Contact Dermatitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72451-5_16-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72451-5_16-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72451-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72451-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation