Hypersensitivity reactions are not uncommon, with an estimated 15% of the world’s population affected by a type of allergic reaction during their lifetime. Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disorder that can present as an acute, subacute or chronic condition. It is estimated that 20% of the European population has a contact allergy to at least a single allergen. Contact dermatitis affects female twice as frequently as male patients3 and often starts at a young age, with a prevalence of 15% in 12-16-year-olds. In healthcare workers, contact dermatitis is the most common form of work related skin disease and 1,000 nurses develop this condition each year in the UK.5 The Health and Safety Executive highlighted dental nurses, dentists and general nurses as being at high risk for contact dermatitis in healthcare. There are two main types of contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis accounts for approximately 80% of reported contact dermatitis cases while allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) has a prevalence of approximately 20%. ACD is a type IV hypersensitivity reaction that predominantly affects the hands, causing pruritus, burning and stinging, with indurated papules and bullae formation in severe cases. Chronic ACD can also present with scaling and fissuring. ACD affects 22-43% of dental professionals globally and occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is the most common occupational skin disease, accounting for 70-90% of all reported cases.
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