ABSTRACT
Dermal contact to skin sensitizing substances (contact allergens) gives rise to an
allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Such exposure causes induction of contact allergy
(sensitization). Reexposure of a sensitized individual to that contact allergen may
cause an allergic reaction (elicitation) and become an ACD. The dose sufficient for
induction is generally higher than the dose affecting the elicitation. To avoid ACD,
the sensitized individual has to avoid further contact to this specific substance at
levels causing elicitation.
