Differential diagnosis of contact dermatitis: A practical-approach review by the EADV Task Force on contact dermatitis. [Review]
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All Authors
Pesque, D.
Aerts, O.
Bizjak, M.
Goncalo, M.
Dugonik, A.
Simon, D.
Ljubojevic-Hadzavdic, S.
Malinauskiene, L.
Wilkinson, M.
Czarnecka-Operacz, M.
LTHT Author
Wilkinson, Mark
LTHT Department
Dermatology
Non Medic
Publication Date
2024
Item Type
Journal Article
Review
Review
Language
Subject
Subject Headings
Abstract
The diagnosis of eczema ('dermatitis') is mostly clinical and depends on the clinical history and exploratory objective findings (primary lesions, patterns). Contact dermatitis remains as an important condition in the group of eczematous disorders, with important socioeconomic and occupational relevance. Although irritant and allergic contact dermatitis have a different pathogenesis, both are characterized by a rather typical morphology, are triggered by external factors and tend to occur primarily in the area of contact with the exogenous agent. In addition, allergic and irritant dermatitis may also co-exist. The importance of diagnosing contact dermatitis, especially when allergic in nature, is both due to the possibility of avoiding the trigger, and due to its role in aggravating other skin conditions. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of clinical presentations in daily practice may pose an important challenge for the suspicion and correct diagnosis of contact dermatitis. Furthermore, other conditions, with different pathogenesis and treatment, may clinically simulate contact dermatitis. The Task Force aims to conduct a review of the unifying clinical features of contact dermatitis and characterize its main clinical phenotypes, and its simulators, in order to contribute to an early suspicion or recognition of contact dermatitis and enable a correct differential diagnosis.
Journal
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology