[Contact acne: a typical civilizational dermatosis (author's transl)]

Contact acne of occupational or extra-occupational origin bears witness to the increasing risk of injury to the human skin caused by man-made chemical noxae. The premonitory function exercised by the dermatologist when man's environment is contaminated by new dermal pathogens or generally dangerous toxicants is particularly well exemplified by the experience gained with chloroaryl acneigens. Pollution of man's occupational or social milieu by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is first manifested by characteristic changes in the skin, which then may or may not be followed secondarily by systemic symptoms of TCDD poisoning. A comprehensive account is given of the chemical, toxicological, experimental-dermatological and clinical aspects of TCDD poisoning and chloroaryl contact acne in general; contact acnes due to oils and tars are also described in some detail, and, in conclusion, the non-occupational varieties of contact acne are discussed.