[History of contact dermatitis and its influence on today's occupational dermatology]

Intolerance to individual substances was first described by Bateman 1817. The modern concept of allergic contact dermatitis was based on studies by Block, who also introduced the diagnostic patch testing 1910. Clinical studies in the 1930's established the frequency of allergic contact dermatitis and the common sensitizers. Irritant dermatitis was not understood until the last decades. The occupational dermatoses were largely neglected until the introduction of social security in 1912. Later many studies have been devoted to this field. Most important in the preventive work has been the establishment of sub-specialized departments of occupational dermatology.