Dermatologic Emergencies

dermatology-emergencieskapak-1-0-25

Irritant/Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Photosensitivity

Nihal ERTÜRK
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Clinic of EmergencyMedicine, Ankara, Türkiye

Habibe Selmin ÖZENSOY
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Clinic of EmergencyMedicine, Ankara, Türkiye

Ertürk N, Özensoy HS. Irritant/allergic contact dermatitis and photosensitivity. In: Oğuztürk H, Görmeli Kurt N, eds. Dermatologic Emergencies. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.103-8.

ABSTRACT

Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to skin contact with a foreign substance; skin changes occur after repeated exposure to the substance. In most patients, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis cannot be distinguished. In irritant contact dermatitis, the inflammatory reaction is mainly due to chemical and physical irritation. Photosensitivity is defined clinically as an exaggerated response to sunlight and is usually induced by UVA and/or UVB radiation. Photosensitivity may occur by photoallergic or phototoxic mechanisms. Phototoxic reactions occur in sun-exposed areas, while photoallergic reactions may also occur in non-sun-exposed areas. Phototoxic reactions begin within minutes to hours after exposure to the drug, while photoallergic reactions occur over a period of 24 hours or longer. In both cases, a good anamnesis and removal of the causative agent are required for diagnosis. In symptomatic treatment of photosensitivity, wet dressings, topical corticosteroids and antihistamines can be used. In severe reactions, short-term systemic corticosteroids can be started. Caution should be exercised as electrolyte disturbances due to widespread blistering and edema may develop in photosensitivity. Although the urgency triage rate is low in these two cases, sudden erythema is worrisome for people. Emergency physicians must be familiar with the subject. In this section, we aimed to define these two clinical situations and provide information about emergency department management.

Keywords: Allergic contact dermatitis; photosensitivity; emergency department

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