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Irritant Dermatitis pp 11–18Cite as

Irritant Contact Dermatitis ersus Allergic Contact Dermatitis

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2.5 Conclusions

The current understanding of mechanisms of both irritant and allergic dermatitis does not allow for establishing pertinent and practical criteria for a clear-cut differentiation between them. Differences between irritants and allergens are more conceptual than verifiable.

Further understanding of the molecular pathways in contact dermatitis would be significant in dermatological practice, as well as in clinical and toxicological research.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Republic University, Montevideo, Uruguay, Arazati 1194, PC 11300, Montevideo, Uruguay

    S. Iris Ale (Associate Prof.)

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of California, SURGE 110, 90 Medical Center Way, Box 0989, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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  1. S. Iris Ale
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Apartment 34, Fourwestnine, 4 Maida Vale, London, W9 1SP, Great Britain

    Ai-Lean Chew

  2. School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, University of California, Medical Center Way 90, 94143-0989, San Francisco, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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Ale, S.I., Maibach, H.I. (2006). Irritant Contact Dermatitis ersus Allergic Contact Dermatitis. In: Chew, AL., Maibach, H.I. (eds) Irritant Dermatitis. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31294-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31294-3_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-00903-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-31294-9

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