Irritant contact dermatitis

In medicine the toxic contact eczema (syn. toxic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis - for the chronic form also cumulative subtoxisches contact dermatitis ) describes a direct damage to the skin due to an external cause. It manifests itself typically in acute or chronic eczematous changes brought about by the direct and intensive skin contact with a substance that can act potentially toxic to emerge. Affected therefore the skin that come into direct contact with the substance, usually the hands and forearms.

Cause

The toxic contact dermatitis is the result of an externally applied noxious agent ( for example, acids, soaps, alkalis or oils). Sensitization in the sense of Allergology does not matter, trigger is the direct intrinsic effect of the respective substance. A distinction " obligately -toxic " substances that act at each person as an immediate trigger and " low toxic " substances, which cause only after repeated exposure and disruption of the skin barrier for a longer period a reaction. There are, in principle, two different forms of toxic contact dermatitis:

Symptoms and course

The inflammatory reaction of the skin usually characterized by sharply demarcated on the skin that come into contact with the causative agent. There, all manifestations, such as redness, tearing, nodules, hyperkeratosis and blistering may occur. This can split open, wet and crust. Affected skin burn, and later can also be a discrete itching occur. Not or insufficiently treated may be added complicating Pfropfallergien and superinfection.

Therapy

The causative agent should be completely avoided. Any protective gloves must be worn. Symptomatically, the affected skin with greasy, are also maintained with cortisone ointments short term. In chronic injury, it may take months or years until the physiological protective mechanisms of the skin have regenerated. In severe cases, systemic administration of antihistamines and corticosteroids is recommended symptomatic.