Atlas and Synopsis of Contact and Occupational Dermatology Sanjay Ghosh
INDEX
×
Chapter Notes

Save Clear


Classification of Contact Dermatitis1

Contact dermatitis denotes superficial inflammation of the skin induced by exogenous chemicals interacting on the skin.
Like other forms of dermatitis contact dermatitis can represent any of the three phases: acute, subacute or chronic. One form may merge into another form by evolution.
On the basis of etiopathogenesis contact dermatitis can be of two types: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
zoom view
2
 
PHASES OF CONTACT DERMATITIS
zoom view
FIGURE 1.1: Acute phase : oozing, vesiculation
zoom view
FIGURE 1.2: Subacute phase: less oozing, less vesiculation, scaling, mild lichenification
zoom view
FIGURE 1.3: Chronic phase: marked lichenification, hyperkeratosis, no vesiculation, no oozing
3Irritant contact dermatitis (80%) is much common than allergic contact dermatitis (20%).
Although the two types of contact dermatitis differ conceptually their cellular and cytokines profiles bear very close resem-blance. Their basic difference is in the antigen specificity; allergic contact dermatitis possesses this specificity whereas irritant contact dermatitis does not possess this.
zoom view
Comparison between Irritant and Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis
1.
Antigen-specificity
Non-specific
Specific
2.
Sensitization
Not required
Required
3.
Genetic predisposition
Not present
Present
4.
Pruritus
Not marked (early)
Marked
5.
Pain/Burning
Pronounced (early)
Less pronounced
6.
Vesicles
Not common
Common
7.
Pustules
Common
Not common