Atypical contact dermatitis

Sara Kerroum, Mariame Meziane, Nadia Ismaili, Laila Benzekri, Karima Senouci

Department of Dermatology, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco

Corresponding author: Sara Kerroum, MD, E-mail: kerroums1992@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Kerroum S, Meziane M, Ismaili N, Benzekri L, Senouci K. Atypical contact dermatitis. Our Dermatol Online. 2023;14(e):e47.
Submission: 22.10.2022; Acceptance: 01.01.2023
DOI: 10.7241/ourd.2023e.47

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© Our Dermatology Online 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by Our Dermatology Online.


Allergic contact dermatitis or contact dermatitis or contact eczema is characterized by eczema lesions appearing on contact with certain non-protein chemicals. It is a delayed, cell-mediated reaction (type IV) [1] according to the Gell and Coombs classification. The allergic reaction does not necessarily occur on first contact. It may appear after several months or years of tolerance. The diagnosis is essentially clinical. The lesions are highly pruritic and may impact the quality of life of the patient [2]. Acute eczema evolves in four successive phases, often intertwined: the erythematous phase characterized by the appearance of an erythematous placard, the vesicular phase characterized by vesicles filled with clear liquid, sometimes confluent in bubbles, the oozing phase characterized by the rupture of vesicles, spontaneously or after scratching, and the crusty or desquamative phase followed by the recovery phase. In the case of persistent exposure to the allergen, the eczema becomes chronic and is characterized by lichenification. Regarding treatment, the detection of the responsible allergen is essential. Several treatments may be proposed. Strong-class dermocorticoids act on the inflammation. Antihistamines are proposed to fight against pruritus. Emollients play an important role in hydration. As for oral corticoids, they are proposed only for severe and extreme cases because of their multiple side effects.

A 41-year-old patient with no notable pathological history presented to the dermatology clinic for the evaluation of bilateral and symmetrical lesions on the armpits evolving for several months. These lesions were lichenified and highly pruritic. Hyperpigmentation was also noted (Fig.1a). A cutaneous biopsy was performed, showing spongiotic dermatosis confirming the diagnosis of eczema. The patient was treated with strong-class dermocorticoids and an emollient with an excellent evolution (Fig. 1b).

Figure 1: Bilateral, symmetrical, and hyperpigmented lesions on the armpits. (b) Significant improvement after three weeks of treatment with dermocorticoids and an emollient.

Consent

The examination of the patient was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms, in which the patients gave their consent for images and other clinical information to be included in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due effort will be made to conceal their identity, but that anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

REFERENCES

1. Seck B, Diallo M, Ndiaye MT, Diop A, Ba ID, Ly F. Atopic dermatitis in Senegalese children with skin phototype VI:Prevalence, clinical features, and risk factors of severity. Our Dermatol Online. 2022;13:359-64.

2. Lambert J. Itch in allergic contact dermatitis. Front Allergy. 2021;2:702488.

Notes

Source of Support: This article has no funding source.

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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