dermatologic disorders
Contact Dermatitis
Key Points
Contact dermatitis can be caused by irritants (eg, plants, soaps, chemicals, body fluids) or by allergens. Symptoms can include predominantly pain (for irritant contact dermatitis) or pruritus (for allergic contact dermatitis). Diagnosis is usually clinical. Patch testing is helpful when allergic contact dermatitis is suspected and the trigger has not been identified. Treatments commonly include cool compresses, topical corticosteroids, and systemic antihistamines as needed for pruritus. 