Dermatology · UKMLA & AKT
Irritant contact dermatitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise irritant contact dermatitis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- ICD = direct physicochemical damage to the stratum corneum - no prior sensitisation required, reaction can occur on first exposure
- Non-immunological (contrast with allergic contact dermatitis - ACD - which is a Type IV delayed hypersensitivity, T-cell mediated, occurs 48-72 hours after exposure)
- Most common form of contact dermatitis; up to 80% of contact dermatitis cases are irritant in nature
ACD (e.g. nickel watch rash) = Type IV hypersensitivity. ICD (e.g. detergent hands) = non-immunological direct irritation. Exam questions distinguish these two mechanisms.
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