Topical corticosteroid therapies are widely utilized, despite the controversial results of corticoid therapy in irritant contact dermatitis as a local inflammatory reaction after repeated or single skin exposure to a chemical substance. Although corticoids may reduce the inflammatory response to the irritant, their antiproliferative effects may reduce skin barrier recovery while allowing further penetration of irritants if exposure continues. This overview reexamines the efficacy of corticosteroids in irritant contact dermatitis therapy, and with the minimal controlled experimental data currently available, notes the need for same—in this common clinical entity.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
MathiasCG, MaibachHI. Dermatotoxicology monographs I. Cutaneous irritation: factors influencing the response to irritants. Clin Toxicol, 1978; 13(3):333–346.
2.
ChewAL, MaibachHI. Occupational issues of irritant contact dermatitis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 2003; 76(5):339–346.
3.
FartaschM.Human barrier formation and reaction to irritation. Curr Probl Dermatol, 1995; 23:95–103.
4.
NagaoS, StroudJD, HamadaT, et al.The effect of sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid on human epidermis. An electronmicroscopic study. Acta Derm Venereol, 1972; 52(1):11–23.
5.
LupulescuAP, BirminghamDJ, PinkusH. An electron microscopic study of human epidermis after acetone and kerosene administration. J Invest Dermatol, 1973; 60(1):33–45.
6.
LevinC, ZhaiH, BashirS, et al.Efficacy of corticosteroids in acute experimental irritant contact dermatitis?. Skin Res Technol, 2001; 7(4):214–218.
7.
ParrilloJE, FauciAS. Mechanisms of glucocorticoid action on immune processes. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, 1979; 19:179–201.
8.
LeTK, De MonP, SchalkwijkJ, et al.Effect of a topical corticosteroid, a retinoid and a vitamin D3 derivative on sodium dodecyl sulphate induced skin irritation. Contact Dermatitis, 1997; 37(1):19–26.
9.
RamsingDW, AgnerT. Efficacy of topical corticosteroids on irritant skin reactions. Contact Dermatitis, 1995; 32(5):293–297.
10.
LevinC, ZhaiH, MaibachHI. Corticosteroids of clinical value in lipid-soluble-chemical-induced irritation in man?. Exog Dermatol, 2002; 1:97–101.
11.
van der ValkPG, MaibachHI. Do topical corticosteroids modulate skin irritation in human beings? Assessment by transepidermal water loss and visual scoring. J Am Acad Dermatol, 1989; 21(3 pt 1):519–522.
12.
SugarM, SchnetzE, FartaschM. Does sodium lauryl sulphate concentration vary with time?. Contact Dermatitis, 1999; 40:146–149.
13.
ZhaiH, AnigboguA, MaibachH.Treatment of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. In: KanervaL, ElsnerP, WahlbergJ, et al, eds. Handbook of Occupational Dermatology. New York: Springer; 2000:402–411.
