German S1 guideline: Contact dermatitis

JDDG Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, vol. 20, pp. 712–734

Abstract

Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the epidermis and dermis at the site of exposure triggered by external agents. The two main forms are irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, which cause significant health and socioeconomic costs in addition to a marked reduction in quality of life. The anamnesis and the clinical picture are decisive for the necessary diagnostic measures. The most accurate possible diagnostic classification of contact dermatitis by means of allergological testing is important for disease management, since not only classical eczema therapy but also avoidance of the exogenous triggering factors are of great importance here. The choice of therapy should be based on the acuity, clinical severity, morphology of the lesions and localization of the contact dermatitis. A combination of basic therapy, topical, physical, and systemic therapy adapted to the patient's needs is required, whereby not all forms of therapy must be carried out simultaneously but can be used in a varying manner. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies aim at the recognition of the triggering noxae or allergens with subsequent contact avoidance or minimization. The present S1-guideline on contact dermatitis is primarily intended to provide dermatologists, allergologists and physicians working in allergology and occupational dermatology with a decision-making aid for the selection and implementation of suitable and sufficient diagnostics, therapy, and prevention.

Authors 10

1. Heinrich Dickel corresponding

   University Hospitals of the Ruhr-University of Bochum · St. Josef-Hospital · Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Dermatology Venereology and Allergology St. Josef Hospital University Medical Center of the Ruhr University Bochum Bochum Germany

   Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, St. Josef Hospital, University Medical Center of the Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

2. Andrea Bauer

   University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus · Technische Universität Dresden

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Dermatology University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Technical University Dresden Dresden Germany

   Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany

3. Randolf Brehler

   University Hospital Münster

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Dermatology University Hospital Münster Münster Germany

4. Vera Mahler

   Paul Ehrlich Institut

   Affiliation as printed

   Paul‐Ehrlich‐Institut Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines Langen Germany

   Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany

5. Hans Friedrich Merk Aachen Department of Dermatology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Dermatology RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany

   Department of Dermatology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

6. Irena Neustädter

   Cnopf´sche Kinderklinik

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Pediatrics Hallerwiese Cnopfsche Kinderklinik Nuremberg Germany

   Department of Pediatrics, Hallerwiese Cnopfsche Kinderklinik, Nuremberg, Germany

7. Klaus Strömer
   Affiliation as printed

   Dermatology Office Dr. Strömer Ahaus Germany

8. Thomas T Werfel

   Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Dermatology Allergology and Venereology Hannover Medical School Hannover Germany

   Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venereology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

9. Margitta Worm

   Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Dermatology Venereology and Allergology Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany

10. Johannes Geier

    Universitätsmedizin Göttingen

    Affiliation as printed

    Center of IVDK University Medical Center Göttingen Göttingen Germany