title: Allergic Contact Dermatitis.
abstract: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common skin disease caused by a T cell-mediated immune reaction to usually innocuous allergens. ACD can have grave medical and socioeconomic consequences. ACD and irritant contact dermatitis often occur together. A detailed history and clinical examination are crucial and guide patch testing, which is the gold standard to diagnose ACD. T-cell clones persisting in the skin may explain the tendency of ACD to relapse even after years of allergen avoidance. Traditional treatments for ACD are topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, retinoids (including the recent alitretinoin), and immunosuppressants. Targeted therapies are lacking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kostner
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anzengruber
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guillod
authors.affiliation: Immunodeficiency Clinic, Medical Outpatient Unit and Immunodeficiency Lab, Department Biomedicine, University Hospital, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Recher
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schmid-Grendelmeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: alexander.navarini@usz.ch.
authors.forename: Alexander A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Navarini
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010328:Patch Tests; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens
keywords: Allergen; Contact; Dermatitis; Patch; T cell; Work related