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Book

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Nursing)

Patrick B. Murphy  1 , Amber R. Atwater  2 , Matthew Mueller  3 , Jeannie Collins
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan.
.
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Book

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Nursing)

Patrick B. Murphy et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a type 4 or delayed-type, hypersensitivity response (DTH) by an individual’s immune system to a small molecule (< 500 daltons), or hapten, that contacts a sensitized individual’s skin. The initial or induction phase of ACD occurs when the hapten combines with a protein to form a complex that leads to the expansion of an allergen-specific T cell population; this process is known as sensitization. During the elicitation phase, re-exposure to the antigen leads to the development of dermatitis. ACD accounts for 20% of contact dermatoses, and allergens differ greatly based upon geography, personal habits and hobbies, and often, the types of preservatives that are legally permissible, such as quaternium-15 in the United States but not Europe.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Patrick Murphy declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Amber Atwater declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Matthew Mueller declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Jeannie Collins declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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