Atopic contact dermatitis

Contact urticaria appears either as wheal and flare reactions or as dermatitis resembling other types of contact dermatitis. A nonimmunologic form of contact urticaria is seen more frequently than the allergic form of the disease in experimental conditions. However, the immunologic form of contact urticaria is clinically more important. It is often seen in atopic persons working in the food industry or in kitchens. We can prevent many cases of occupational anaphylactic hand eczema by choosing proper jobs for atopic persons. Especially handling food seems to produce hypersensitivity reactions in atopic more frequently than in nonatopic persons.