What are the common causes of allergic contact dermatitis?
The most common offenders in allergic contact dermatitis are plants of the Toxicodendron genus (e.g., poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac). Other substances include nickel sulfate (various metal alloys), potassium dichromate (cements, household cleaners), formaldehyde, ethylenediamine (dyes, medications), mercaptobenzothiazole (rubbers), thiuram (fungicides), and paraphenylenediamine (dyes, photographic chemicals). Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when an irritant produces direct local toxic effect on the cells of the top layer of skin, with a subsequent inflammatory response in the second layer of skin (dermis). Where is irritant contact dermatitis most likely to present? The most common site for irritant contact dermatitis is the hand. Individuals with atopic dermatitis are genetically predisposed to develop irritant contact dermatitis especially of the hands. Although irritant contact dermatitis is caused mostly by chemicals (e.g., acids, alkalis, solvents, oxidants), plants (e.g
