title: Contact Dermatitis for the Practicing Allergist.
abstract: This article provides an overview of important practice recommendations from the recently updated Contact Dermatitis Practice Parameter. This updated parameter provides essential recommendations pertaining to clinical history, physical examination, and patch testing evaluation of patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis. In addition to providing guidance for performing and interpreting closed patch testing, the updated parameter provides concrete recommendations for assessing metal hypersensitivity in patients receiving prosthetic devices, for evaluating workers with occupational contact dermatitis, and also for addressing allergic contact dermatitis in children. Finally, the document provides practical recommendations useful for educating patients regarding avoidance of exposure to known contact sensitizers in the home and at work. The Contact Dermatitis Parameter is designed as a practical, evidence-based clinical tool to be used by allergists and dermatologists who routinely are called upon to evaluate patients with skin disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio. Electronic address: BERNSTDD@UCMAIL.UC.EDU.
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000276:immunology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D008670:Metals
keywords: Allergen; Allergic; Allergy; Contact; Dermatitis; Patch test; Sensitizer