Purpose of review: Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common form of contact dermatitis and the most common occupational skin disease. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the endogenous and exogenous factors that play a role in the pathogenesis of irritant contact dermatitis.
Recent findings: In conjunction with avoidance of irritants, barrier protection, and regular application of moisturizers, management now emphasizes the importance of primary prevention through educational initiatives in high-risk workplaces.
Summary: The diagnosis of irritant contact dermatitis is often difficult, as there is no confirmatory test, and it is often a default diagnosis after allergic contact dermatitis has been excluded. Early recognition, prevention, and treatment are vital in management, especially in the occupational setting.
Keywords: Allergy; Hand; Irritant contact dermatitis; Occupational; Patch testing; Skin irritation.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2022.