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Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings—2003

Slide 51: Contact Dermatitis

Slide Text

• Irritant contact dermatitis
   
  • Not an allergy
     
  • Dry, itchy, irritated areas
     
• Allergic contact dermatitis
   
  • Type IV delayed hypersensitivity
     
  • May result from allergy to chemicals used in glove manufacturing

Speaker Notes

Not all skin reactions are due to an allergic reaction to latex rubber. Most skin reactions are attributed to an irritant or allergic contact dermatitis.

• Irritant contact dermatitis develops as dry, itchy, irritated areas on the skin around the contact area. It is commonly associated with frequent handwashing and is not an allergic reaction.
   
• The second type of contact dermatitis is a type IV or delayed hypersensitivity or allergic reaction due to contact with a chemical allergen (e.g., accelerators and other chemicals used in the manufacture of patient-care gloves). Reactions are generally localized to the contact area and occur slowly, over a period of 12–48 hours.

Page last reviewed: September 22, 2009
Page last modified: April 26, 2005
Content source: Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion