Clinical relevance of patch test reactions -- Historical Aspects -- Basic Features -- Mechanisms in Allergic Contact Dermatitis -- Molecular Aspects of Allergic Contact Dermatitis -- Mechanisms of Irritant Contact Dermatitis -- Immediate Contact Reactions -- Mechanisms of Phototoxic and Photoallergic Reactions -- Pathology -- Histopathological and Immunohistopathological Features of Irritant and Allergic Contact Dermatitis -- Ultrastructure of Irritant and Allergic Contact Dermatitis -- Individual Predisposition to Irritant and Allergic Contact Dermatitis -- Epidemiology -- Dermatotoxicology -- Skin Penetration -- Predictive Tests for Irritants and Allergens and Their Use in Quantitative Risk Assessment -- Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Humans — Experimental and Quantitative Aspects -- Clinical Features -- General Aspects -- Clinical Aspects of Irritant Contact Dermatitis -- Systemic Contact Dermatitis -- Phototoxic and Photoallergic Reactions -- Pigmented Contact Dermatitis and Chemical Depigmentation -- Hand Eczema -- Protein Contact Dermatitis -- Noneczematous Contact Reactions -- Diagnostic Tests -- Patch Testing -- Atopy Patch Testing with Aeroallergens and Food Proteins -- Patch Testing in Adverse Drug Reactions -- Allergens Exposure Assessment -- Skin Tests for Immediate Hypersensitivity -- Photopatch Testing -- Noninvasive Techniques for Quantification of Contact Dermatitis -- Allergic Contact Dermatitis Related to Specific Exposures -- Allergens from the Standard Series -- Cosmetics and Skin Care Products -- Allergens of Special Interest -- Metals Carola Lidén, Magnus Bruze, Torkil Menné -- Metalworking Fluids -- Plastic Materials -- Topical Drugs -- Dental Materials -- Clothing -- Shoes -- Occupational Contact Dermatitis -- Health Personnel -- Plants and Plant Products -- Pesticides -- Contact Allergy in Children -- Prevention and Therapy from Contact Dermatitis (with Special Reference to Occupational Dermatology) -- Legislation -- International Comparison of Legal Aspects of Worker Compensation for Occupational Contact Dermatitis -- Computers in the Management of Contact Dermatitis -- Contact Dermatitis Research Groups -- Patch Test Concentrations and Vehicles for Testing Contact Allergens -- Patch Testing with the Patients’Own Products -- Dictionary of Contact Allergens: Chemical Structures, Sources and References.

It is an unusual event for a textbook covering such a national and international networks and the use of highly specialized field as contact dermatitis to be standardized methodology, a highly differentiated published in its fourth edition within a time period picture can now be painted; we know the major p- of 13 years. When the European and Environmental fessions at risk, as well as the influences of age and Contact Dermatitis Research Group was founded in various cofactors. This is a solid basis for preventive 1985,one of the major goals was to edit a textbook of measures. A new allergen, described in one center, high scientific standard written by renown experts can now be tested on a large scale in a short time and keep it regularly updated. The greatest danger period. If the data evaluation shows an unacceptably for a textbook is to become outdated – then it stays high rate of sensitization in the exposed population, on the bookshelf and is rarely consulted. The contin- regulatory measures will be undertaken to protect uous flow of new medicaments, the fascinating the consumer. A recent example is the “methyldib- improvements in diagnostic image analysis and ever- mo glutaronitrile story. ” changing operative procedures are the reasons for These and other issues of importance are covered considerable knowledge deficits in old textbooks, in depth in the newest edition of this textbook.