Eczema (irritant contact)

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)

Reference:

1. Eberting C.L, Blickenstaff N, Goldenberg, A. Pathophysiologic Treatment Approach to Irritant Contact Dermatitis. Curr Treat Options Allergy 2014; 1: 317
2. Rashid RS, Shim TN. Contact dermatitis. BMJ. 2016;353:i3299.