eczema (irritant contact)
Last reviewed 10/2020
Irritant contact dermatitis is a non immunologic response which occurs as a result of direct damage to the skin by exogenous caustic or irritating chemicals or physical agents.
- no prior exposure to the agent is necessary,
- once the keratin in the skin has been impaired, chemicals are able to pass into the cellular component of the epidermis and cause an inflammatory reaction
- finger web spaces in hands and the face are commonly affected
- is the most common cause of industrial dermatitis (1,2).
Responsible for around 80% of contact dermatitis cases
- common irritants include - soaps, detergents, water, solvents, cutting oils, and food ingredients (2)
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