• OBJECTIVE
    • To familiarize the reader with the mechanisms and causes of contact dermatitis.
  • DATA SOURCES
    • Recent research articles, relevant review articles, and case series/reports in English from PubMed database, mostly from 2010 onwards.
  • STUDY SELECTIONS
    • Most data were in the form of retrospective studies. Efforts were made to include clinical trials; however, for newer allergens and data on biologics, case series and case reports were included. Older studies regarding the mechanism were included if they were of particular importance.
  • RESULTS
    • An understanding of this review should enable the reader to approach the patient with unknown dermatitis with a better understanding of the cause and management.
  • CONCLUSION
    • Clinical suspicion for relevant allergens combined with the interpretation of patch tests are important in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with contact dermatitis.