title: A correlation of allergic contact dermatitis with allergen type and patient categorical variables.
abstract: Allergic contact dermatitis is a very treatable disease once it is diagnosed. In this study, statistical analysis was done on 105 patients with allergic contact dermatitis and the data were correlated with allergen type and patient categorical variables. Once allergens were identified, patients were advised to practice avoidance of the identified allergens. Significant differences in gender and past history of allergy were noted. Improvement after avoidance of identified allergens was also tracked, and a significant negative correlation was observed between number of allergens and improvement of patients' conditions. Although not reaching a statistical level of significance, some interesting trends were found regarding age versus severity and age versus improvement, which should be explored in future studies. In addition, a larger study population would ensure the collection of more statistically significant data for future research.
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of South Florida, Florida, USA. kelfeel@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Khalid A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Elfeel
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Shenefelt
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Farghaly
authors.forename: Ira S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens