The most common type is irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), a non-allergic skin reaction that happens when a substance damages the skin’s outer protective layer. As mentioned earlier, several common household products can cause irritant contact dermatitis. In some cases, a single exposure is all that is needed to trigger a reaction. And in others, repeated exposure to mild irritants can cause symptoms to even mild irritants.

What Triggers Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Among the most common irritants are the following:
- Solvents
- Drain cleaners
- Rubbing alcohol
- Bleach and detergents
- Shampoos or permanent wave solutions
- Fertilizers and pesticides
- Plants
- Airborne substances such as sawdust or wool dust
Irritant contact dermatitis can also occur when the skin comes in contact too often with less irritating materials like soap or even water.
ICD Frequency at Work
A study from 1990 to 1999 noted that the highest ICD annual incidence rates were found in hairdressers (46.9 per 10 000 workers per year), bakers (23.5 per 10 000 workers per year), and pastry cooks (16.9 per 10 000 workers per year). At the same time, ICD was the main diagnosis of occupational skin disease (OSD) in pastry cooks (76%), cooks (69%), food processing industry workers and butchers (63%), mechanics (60%), and locksmiths, and automobile mechanics (59%).
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