title: Systemic contact dermatitis.
abstract: Systemic contact dermatitis (SCD) describes a cutaneous eruption in response to systemic exposure to an allergen. The exact pathologic mechanism remains uncertain. The broad spectrum of presentations that are often nonspecific can make it difficult for the clinician to suspect this disease, but it is an important diagnosis to consider in cases of recalcitrant, widespread, or recurrent dermatitis, in which patch testing often reveals allergy to nickel or balsam of Peru. Diagnosis and appropriate management can be life-altering for affected patients. This article on SCD provides an overview of the disease with descriptions of common allergens and some insight into the possible mechanism of action seen in SCD.
authors: Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors: Rajiv I
authors: RI
authors: Nijhawan
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Molenda
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Zirwas
authors: Sharon E
authors: SE
authors: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000009:adverse effects; D001453:Balsams / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005404:Fixatives / Q000009:adverse effects; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000009:adverse effects; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000009:adverse effects; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D001453:Balsams; D005404:Fixatives; D008670:Metals; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D014131:Trace Elements; D005557:Formaldehyde; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D009532:Nickel; C025080:Peruvian balsam