title: Wound-Related Allergic/Irritant Contact Dermatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide information from a literature review about the prevention, recognition, and treatment for contact dermatitis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:1. Identify signs and symptoms of and diagnostic measures for contact dermatitis.2. Identify causes and risks for contact dermatitis.3. Select appropriate treatment for contact dermatitis and its prevention.
  Contact dermatitis to wound care products is a common, often neglected problem. A review was conducted to identify articles relevant to contact dermatitis.A PubMed English-language literature review was conducted for appropriate articles published between January 2000 and December 2015.Contact dermatitis is both irritant (80% of cases) or allergic (20% of cases). Frequent use of potential contact allergens and impaired barrier function of the skin can lead to rising sensitization in patients with chronic wounds. Common known allergens to avoid in wound care patients include fragrances, colophony, lanolin, and topical antibiotics.Clinicians should be cognizant of the allergens in wound care products and the potential for sensitization. All medical devices, including wound dressings, adhesives, and bandages, should be labeled with their complete ingredients, and manufacturers should be encouraged to remove common allergens from wound care products, including topical creams, ointments, and dressings.
authors.affiliation: Afsaneh Alavi, MD • Assistant Professor • Department of Medicine (Dermatology), University of Toronto • Toronto, Ontario, Canada R. Gary Sibbald, BSc, MD, DSc (Hons), MEd, FRCPC (Med)(Derm), FAAD, MAPWCA • Professor • Medicine and Public Health • Director • International Interprofessional Wound Care Course (IIWCC) & Masters of Science Community Health (Prevention and Wound Care) • Dalla Lana Faculty of Public Health • University of Toronto • Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Clinical Editor • Advances in Skin & Wound Care Barry Ladizinski, MD, MPH, MBA • Dermatology Resident • Division of Dermatology • John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County • Chicago, Illinois Ami Saraiya, MD • Research Fellow • Department of Dermatology, Tufts University • Boston, Massachusetts Kachiu C. Lee, MD • Assistant Professor • Department of Dermatology, Brown University • Providence, Rhode Island Sandy Skotnicki-Grant, MD • Assistant Professor • Department of Dermatology, University of Toronto • Toronto, Ontario, Canada Howard Maibach, MD • Professor • Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Afsaneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alavi
authors.forename: R Gary
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Sibbald
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ladizinski
authors.forename: Ami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saraiya
authors.forename: Kachiu C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skotnicki-Grant
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maibach
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012882:Skin Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D003879:Dermatologic Agents