ABSTRACT
The actual types of irritant contact dermatitis, with reference to major characteristics in the clinical appearance, are listed in Table 13.2.
When exposure is suffi cient and the offending agent is potent, such as acids or alkaline solutions, classic symptoms of acute skin irritation are seen. Contact with a strong primary irritant is often accidental, and an acute irritant dermatitis is elicited in almost anyone independent of constitutional susceptibility. This classic, acutely developing dermatitis usually heals soon after exposure. The healing of acute irritant dermatitis is described as a decrescendo phenomenon, where the irritant reaction quickly peaks and then immediately begins to heal upon removal of irritant. In unusual cases the dermatitis may persist for months after exposure, followed by complete resolution. The availability of the material Safety Data Sheet and data from the single-application Draize rabbit test combined with activities of industrial hygienists and other informed personnel greatly decreased the frequency of such dermatitis in industry. Further educational efforts and appropriate industrial engineering should make this form of irritation a rarity.
