Skin Barrier Biomarkers in Patch-Induced and Clinical Allergic and Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Skin barrier impairment is central to irritant (ICD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Stratum corneum (SC) components cholesterol sulphate (CholSulph), glucosylcholesterol (CholGlc) and natural moisturising factor (NMF) are critical for barrier function, but their changes in ICD and ACD remain underexplored.

To measure CholSulph, CholGlc, NMF and IL-1α in patch-induced ICD and ACD and in hand dermatitis (HD) diagnosed as ICD or ACD.

SC samples were collected from HD patients undergoing patch testing. Biomarkers were analysed in positive reactions to sodium lauryl sulphate (ICD, n = 44), allergens (ACD, n = 113; nickel, chromium, methylisothiazolinone [MI]), lesional HD skin (n = 45) and control (empty chamber, n = 121).

CholGlc was significantly elevated in patch-induced ICD and ACD. CholSulph was increased in ICD and chromium- and MI-induced ACD. NMF decreased in ICD, while IL-1α decreased in ICD and chromium ACD. Chromium induced the strongest response, nickel the weakest. In HD, ICD and ACD showed elevated CholGlc, reduced NMF and IL-1α, with CholSulph increased only in ACD. No biomarker differences were detected between clinical ICD and ACD.

Both induced and clinical ICD and ACD show consistent SC biomarker changes reflecting barrier dysfunction, with no differences between clinical ICD and ACD.