Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Dermatitis, Contact is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Delayed Hypersensitivity
• Dermatitis Medicamentosa
• Dermatitis Venenata
• Drug Hypersensitivity

Disorder Subdivisions

• Irritant Contact Dermatitis
• Allergic Contact Dermatitis
• Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis
• Phototoxic Contact Dermatitis

General Discussion

Contact dermatitis is an acute or chronic skin inflammation triggered by substances that come in contact with the skin. Affected individuals may have abnormal redness of the skin (erythema) and/or itching (pruritis). Symptoms and physical findings associated with contact dermatitis vary greatly depending upon the cause of the disorder. Causes of contact dermatitis include an allergic reaction or response to a substance or a direct toxic effect of a substance (e.g., chemical irritants, medications, certain plants).

Resources

National Eczema Association
4460 Redwood Highway
Suite 16D
San Rafael, CA 94903-1953
Tel: (415)499-3474
Tel: (800)818-7546
Email: info@nationaleczema.org
Internet: http://www.nationaleczema.org/

NIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Information Clearinghouse
One AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: (301)495-4484
Fax: (301)718-6366
Tel: (877)226-4267
TDD: (301)565-2966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov/

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Tel: (414)272-6071
Fax: (414)276-3349
Tel: (800)822-2762
Email: info@aaaai.org
Internet: http://www.aaaai.org

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick, NJ 08723
Fax: (732)543-7285
Email: autoimmunehelp@aol.com

European Society for Immunodeficiencies
1-3 rue de Chantepoulet
Geneva, CH 1211
Switzerland
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +41 22 906 91 40
Email: esid@kenes.com
Internet: http://www.esid.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 8/7/2007
Copyright 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.