title: New findings in allergic contact dermatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Contact allergies are complex diseases and an important challenge for public health. The purpose of this review is to discuss new developments in the field, including epidemiology and molecular mechanisms of contact allergy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Understanding how contact allergens promote allergic reactions is important for preventing the disease. According to the latest knowledge, contact allergens are sensed by toll-like receptors and the inflammasome, and possibly the activation of these pathways is a trait shared by all sensitizing compounds. Allergies to nickel, fragrances and preservatives are still frequent, despite regulations aimed at reducing the exposure to potential allergens. Significant numbers of people are exposed, likely due to insufficient protection. Further, replacement of known sensitizers by new potential allergens, and new products and habits, lead to new exposures, and new cases of contact allergies are continuously being reported. The proposed European Union legislation to label patch test materials as drugs is unnecessary and harmful for treatment of patients with dermatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The immune response to contact allergens is complex. Research effort is underway to elucidate the various mechanisms and to single out potential allergens and their potency. Legislation has to focus on protection of consumers and workers, and adapt as our understanding of allergic contact dermatitis progresses.
authors: aUnit of Systems Toxicology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health bDepartment of Dermatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Nanna
authors: N
authors: Fyhrquist
authors: Erja
authors: E
authors: Lehto
authors: Antti
authors: A
authors: Lauerma
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D035843:Biomedical Research; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D058847:Inflammasomes / Q000276:immunology*; D009532:Nickel / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D005520:Food Preservatives; D058847:Inflammasomes; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D009532:Nickel