Irritant contact dermatitis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Irritant contact dermatitis
Synonyms	ICD
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Redness, itching, burning sensation, dry skin, cracking, blisters
Complications	Infection, chronic dermatitis
Onset	Minutes to hours after exposure
Duration	Days to weeks
Types	N/A
Causes	Chemical irritants, physical irritants
Risks	Occupational exposure, frequent hand washing, sensitive skin
Diagnosis	Clinical examination, patch testing
Differential diagnosis	Allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis
Prevention	Avoidance of irritants, use of protective barriers
Treatment	Emollients, topical corticosteroids, antihistamines
Medication	Topical corticosteroids, oral antihistamines
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common
Deaths	Rare

A type of contact dermatitis caused by exposure to irritants

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a form of contact dermatitis that occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritating substance. It is a non-allergic reaction that results in inflammation of the skin.

Causes

ICD is caused by direct damage to the skin by a chemical or physical agent. Common irritants include soaps, detergents, acids, and alkalis. Repeated exposure to these substances can lead to skin damage and inflammation.

Symptoms

The symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis can vary depending on the severity of the exposure. Common symptoms include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Itching
• Burning sensation
• Blisters or vesicles in severe cases

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ICD is primarily based on the clinical history and physical examination. A patch test may be used to rule out allergic contact dermatitis. The image on the right shows a typical patch test setup.

Treatment

The primary treatment for ICD is to avoid exposure to the irritant. Additional treatments may include:

• Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Emollients to moisturize the skin
• Protective barriers such as gloves

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

• Identifying and avoiding known irritants
• Using protective clothing and equipment
• Maintaining good skin care practices

See Also

• Contact dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Dermatitis