Publication
European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA): Characteristics of patients patch tested and diagnosed with irritant contact dermatitis
Journal Paper/Review - Mar 17, 2021
Loman Laura, Rustemeyer Thomas, Sadowska-Przytocka Anna, Sánchez-Pérez Javier, Scherer Hofmeier Kathrin, Schliemann Sibylle, Simon Dagmar, Spiewak Radoslaw, Spring Philip, Valiukevičienė Skaidra, Wagner Nicola, Weisshaar Elke, Pesonen Maria, Schuttelaar Marie L A, Mahler Vera, Kręcisz Beata, Kränke Birger, Uter Wolfgang, Armario-Hita José C, Ayala Fabio, Balato Anna, Ballmer-Weber Barbara, Bauer Andrea, Bircher Andreas J, Buhl Timo, Czarnecka-Operacz Magdalena, Dickel Heinrich, Fuchs Thomas, Giménez Arnau Ana, John Swen M, ESSCA Working Group
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND
Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is caused by the acute locally toxic effect of a strong irritant, or the cumulative exposure to various weaker physical and/or chemical irritants.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the characteristics of patients with ICD in the population patch tested in the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA; www.essca-dc.org) database.
METHODS
Data collected by the ESSCA in consecutively patch-tested patients from January 2009 to December 2018 were analyzed.
RESULTS
Of the 68 072 patients, 8702 were diagnosed with ICD (without concomitant allergic contact dermatitis [ACD]). Hand and face were the most reported anatomical sites, and 45.7% of the ICD was occupational ICD (OICD). The highest proportions of OICD were found in metal turners, bakers, pastry cooks, and confectionery makers. Among patients diagnosed with ICD, 45% were found sensitized with no relevance for the current disease.
CONCLUSIONS
The hands were mainly involved in OICD also in the subgroup of patients with contact dermatitis, in whom relevant contact sensitization had been ruled out, emphasizing the need for limiting irritant exposures. However, in difficult-to-treat contact dermatitis, unrecognized contact allergy, or unrecognized clinical relevance of identified allergies owing to incomplete or wrong product ingredient information must always be considered.