Irritant contact dermatitis is an extremely common condition resulting from epidermal exposure to any number of skin irritants. Upon contact with skin irritants, the epidermis develops many identifiable problems including specific epidermal lipid deficiencies, elevated epidermal pH with concomitant suppression of epidermal lipid production, pH-dependent susceptibility to infection, inflammation, and aberrant calcium gradients. By addressing these problems simultaneously, and through irritant avoidance, the treatment of irritant contact dermatitis can be maximized. Contact dermatitis refers to any skin inflammation that occurs as a result of exposure to irritants or allergens. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a localized inflammatory reaction that occurs when a chemical or physical agent causes direct cytotoxic skin damage leading to skin barrier disruption, cellular changes, and release of proinflammatory mediators. This is a non immunlogic mechanism that does not require sensitization, whereas allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, mediated by T cells.

• Share this page
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•