Contact and Atopic Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a type IV hypersensitivity reaction that results to an inflammation of the skin. Common
forms of dermatitis are Contact and Atopic dermatitis. Contact dermatitis results from the skin exposed
to allergens or irritants. Atopic dermatitis also results from an exposure to allergen or irritants, but this
form of dermatitis is specific to an area of the body (the flexor surfaces of the body like the wrist and the
frontal folds of the elbow) and it is also caused by a gene variation or immune system dysfunction that
alters the skin condition. Both forms of dermatitis affect anyone who are exposed to a specific allergen
or irritant in their workplace, men and women are both affect by this condition however women are
more likely to have the skin condition. It can affect all ages, but Atopic dermatitis is more common
children below 18 years old. Dermatitis starts with a patient exposed to allergen or irritants, the
allergen/irritant then penetrates the stratum corneum and is taken up by the Langerhan cells. The
antigens undergo a processing and presents a little of the allergen to a naïve T-cell helper which cause
the naïve T-cell helper to activate into a Th2 cell. The Th2 cells then stimulates a nearby B-cell to
produce IgE antibodies and the antibodies combine to the mast cells and basophils. This process is called
the Sensitization phase. The antibody IgE then crosslinks to the sensitized mast cells and basophil
causing degranulation or the release of proinflammatory molecules like histamine, leukotrienes, and
proteases. Degranulation causes the blood vessels to dilate and become more porous attracting more
immune cells and cause inflammation. This inflammation results to red rashes and itching which makes
the outer layer of the skin damaged thus allowing more allergens to enter the skin and then exacerbates
the inflammation. Further inflammation results to dry and scaly skin, bumps and blisters, and swelling
and tenderness.