ABSTRACT
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a commonly occurring inflammatory skin disease that appears as a delayed skin response following skin contact with an allergenic chemical. It is characterized by erythema, edema, and vesiculation. ACD has widespread occurrence, in part because of the annual introduction of large numbers of new chemicals into the marketplace, some of which are ultimately found to be allergenic under use conditions. Human tests are employed both for forecasting ACD potential of new chemicals and for diagnosing ACD in clinical patients that present themselves to investigative dermatologists for evaluation and treatment of contact dermatitis. A large database exists involving animals and humans that have been tested with a wide variety of chemicals for skin sensitization potential. “Angry back” and “excited skin” are terms used to describe a hyperirritable skin condition that occurs when multiple concomitant inflammatory skin conditions prevail.
