ABSTRACT
Contact dermatitis is a common skin condition frequently seen by physicians. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is far more frequent than allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). While the clinical appearance may be similar, allergic contact dermatitis differs from irritant dermatitis in many ways. After sensitization occurs, subsequent exposure to the allergen may result in ACD even if used in small concentrations. Poison ivy is another common allergen but is not included in typical testing or in the frequency results by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group. While ACD is a specific reaction to an allergen that occurs only in sensitized individuals, ICD can occur in anyone exposed to an irritant at a high concentration or for a significant length of time. ICD is also much more common in certain locations on the body, such as the hands and face, as these areas are frequently exposed to irritants.
