Peter J. Frosch

Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin

Jeanne Duus Johansen

The fifth edition delivers up-to-date coverage of every conceivable aspect in modern-day management of contact dermatitis. Leading experts have thoroughly updated the previous edition, while adding new chapters on genetics, the skin barrier, respiratory symptoms to chemicals and an extensive section on prevention. Both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis are covered with special emphasis on immunological mechanisms, molecular aspects of sensitizers, atypical clinical forms, reactions to medicaments, occupational and environmental aspects. The comprehensive yet approachable text is supplemented by numerous color illustrations and tables. Core messages and case reports highlight the most important information and help in gaining better understanding of the topic and greater competence in daily practice. An extensive dictionary of allergens gives quick access to specific information.

Contact Dermatitis

Torkil Menne

It is an unusual event for a textbook covering such a national and international networks and the use of highly specialized field as contact dermatitis to be standardized methodology, a highly differentiated published in its fourth edition within a time period picture can now be painted; we know the major p- of 13 years. When the European and Environmental fessions at risk, as well as the influences of age and Contact Dermatitis Research Group was founded in various cofactors. This is a solid basis for preventive 1985,one of the major goals was to edit a textbook of measures. A new allergen, described in one center, high scientific standard written by renown experts can now be tested on a large scale in a short time and keep it regularly updated. The greatest danger period. If the data evaluation shows an unacceptably for a textbook is to become outdated – then it stays high rate of sensitization in the exposed population, on the bookshelf and is rarely consulted. The contin- regulatory measures will be undertaken to protect uous flow of new medicaments, the fascinating the consumer. A recent example is the “methyldib- improvements in diagnostic image analysis and ever- mo glutaronitrile story. ” changing operative procedures are the reasons for These and other issues of importance are covered considerable knowledge deficits in old textbooks, in depth in the newest edition of this textbook.

Richard J.G. Rycroft

A. Dooms-Goossens

J.-M. Lachapelle

R.J. Scheper

In recent years the field of contact dermatitis has increased greatly in importance in dermatology. The variety of exogenous, environmental ly caused dermatoses has undoubtedly expanded over the past few de cades with the increasing number of potentially toxic chemicals, the changes in lifestyle, and the greater life expectancy in industrialized societies. The value of international cooperation in this field has long been realized and acted upon by the International Contact Dermatitis Re search Group (ICDRG). By 1975 the international journal Contact Dermatitis had been founded under the editorship of C. D. Calnan. Thanks largely to the ICDRG and Contact Dermatitis, there were, by 1986, enough additional dermatologists and scientists with a special interest in this area to form the European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group (EECDRG). Within 2 years they had in stituted the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) as an in ternational forum for researchers in the field. The EECDRG decided to hold a symposium in Heidelberg in May 1988, an initiative supported by the ICDRG, and on this occasion the new ESCD held its inaugural session. The Society already has over 200 members and most national contact dermatitis research groups in Europe are already represented; new members are of course welcome. Subgroups and working committees have been formed to address var ious topics including the standardization of patch testing, photoder matology, and bioengineering.

Current Topics in Contact Dermatitis

10. 1. 1. 1 The Purpose of Patch Testing Patch testing is a well-established method of diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis, a delayed type of hypersensitivity (type IV reaction). Patients with a history and clinical picture of contact dermatitis are reexposed to the suspected allergens under controlled conditions to verify the diagnosis. Besides testing patients with hand, arm, face or leg eczema (stasis dermatitis), testing of other types of eczema (atopic, seborrhoeic dermatitis, nummular eczema) is sometimes indicated, especially when the dermatologist suspects contact allergy to prescribed topical medicaments and their vehicles. Apart from its use to confirm a suspected allergic contact dermatitis, the patch test procedure can also be used before recommending alternative corti costeroids, skin care products, cosmetics, gloves, etc. in a particular patient. If the patient does not react to the alternatives tested, it is very unlikely that she or he will react to the products in ordinary use. 10. 1. 1.2 Standardization The first patch tests according to present principles were carried out in 1895 [1], but were preceded by some preliminary experiments [2] (see Chap. 1).

Textbook of Contact Dermatitis

R.J.G. Rycroft

Claude Benezra

Ideally every patient with eczema should be patch tested and the importance of this investigation is now universally accepted. The simplicity of the technique belies its many pitfalls, the greatest being to lack the knowledge required to select the correct allergens and to interpret the results. The introduction, nearly 20 years ago, of the journal Contact Dermatitis greatly stimulated the reporting of the clinical side of contact dermatitis but a vast amount of laboratory work has also been published in other journals on the mechanisms and theory of these reactions. The literature on the subject is now quite vast and a comprehensive book on the clinical and research aspects of contact dermatitis has been sorely needed. This textbook was carefully planned to gather together what is known of the subject into a cohesive whole and it has succeeded admirably. It consists of 22 chapters written by 41 contributors, each selected for their special study of particular subjects. Every feature of contact dermatitis has been covered, beginning with its history and even concluding with the names and addresses of those worldwide who have a specific interest in the subject. The text is illustrated and well laid out; it has been broken up into clearly demarcated sections making it easy to read and its information readily accessible. One's own writing concentrates the mind but editing the texts of authors from so many different countries was a task of considerable proportions.

Peter J. Frosch

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