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Hand Dermatitis: an Allergist’s Nightmare

  • ALLERGIC SKIN DISEASES (L FONACIER, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Hand dermatitis is a common skin complaint. We use our hands to explore our environment; subsequently, our hands are in frequent contact with potential allergens and irritants. Patients with hand dermatitis may present to their allergist with this complaint. Approaching the diagnosis and treatment of hand dermatitis can be challenging, as both internal and external factors may contribute to the overall condition. Furthermore, the differential diagnosis of hand dermatitis is broad and the cause often multifactorial. Obtaining a thorough history and performing a focused examination may help the clinician differentiate between multiple causes of hand dermatitis. Numerous treatment options exist for hand dermatitis, and new potential treatments are in development as well. We aim to provide the allergist with a streamlined toolkit for help in the diagnosis and management of hand dermatitis.

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Conflict of Interest

Lindsay Wold, Jennifer K. Chen, and Heather P. Lampel declare no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA

    Lindsey Wold

  2. Department of Dermatology, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, 450 Broadway St, Pavilion B, 4th Floor, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA

    Jennifer K. Chen

  3. Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, 5324 McFarland Drive Suite 210, Durham, NC, 27707, USA

    Heather P. Lampel

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  1. Lindsey Wold
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  2. Jennifer K. Chen
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  3. Heather P. Lampel
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Correspondence to Heather P. Lampel.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Allergic Skin Diseases

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Wold, L., Chen, J.K. & Lampel, H.P. Hand Dermatitis: an Allergist’s Nightmare. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 14, 474 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-014-0474-0

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