Cumulative-toxic hand eczema

Toxic contact dermatitis (chronic), toxic contact dermatitis (acute), irritant contact dermatitis, cumulative toxic hand eczema, cumulative toxic hand eczema, toxic dermatitis, toxic dermatitis.

Inflammation of the skin triggered by a primarily skin-damaging agent. Characteristically, the skin lesions remain strictly confined to the site of exposure.

Very common, up to 10% of the working population have eczema. Toxic-irritant eczema is more common than contact-allergic eczema.

• Acute irritant-toxic contact dermatitis
• Chronic cumulative-toxic contact dermatitis

Frequently are:

• Water (moisture), which also irritates and is a common cofactor in other contact toxins
• Alkaline / acidic solutions
• Organic solvents (xylene, benzene, petrol)
• Fat solvents (acetone, carbon tetrachloride)
• Detergents
• Toxic plant or animal components
• Phototoxic substances
• UV rays
• X-rays
• Thermal stimuli

• Sharp, erythematous, limited to the site of exposure, areal, scaly and pruritic erythema, papules and plaques
• Seldom any satellite foci
• Due to the symptoms, there may also be secondary phenomena such as excoriations or erosions in the sense of scratching effects, and then impetiginisation again

• Well-considered anamnesis, e.g. does it get better during holidays? Then suggestive of connection with work activity.
• Clinical appearance
• Epicutaneous test if differential diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis is suspected
• Smears for mycosis incl. candida, as well as bacteria (impetiginisation) if clinical suspicion occurs
• Objectify atopic diathesis incl. IgE, sx1, fx5 if there are indications

Almost always the hands are affected. Sometimes also feet, rarely other parts of the body.

Chronification is a great danger. Hand eczema is difficult to treat after a long persistence and can lead to permanent incapacity to work.

Good work equipment including gloves is very important and should be propagated and enforced by insurers and employers. See also the website 2haende.ch

See complications. It makes sense to check for occupational disease.

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2. Eichmann A, Amgwerd D. [Toxic contact dermatitis]. Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax 1992;81:615-7.
3. Schroder CM, Holler Obrigkeit D, Merk HF, Abuzahra F. [Necrotizing toxic contact dermatitis of the scalp from hydrogen peroxide]. Hautarzt 2008;59:148-50.
4. Kiec-Swierczynska M, Swierczynska-Machura D, Chomiczewska-Skora D, Nowakowska-Swirta E, Krecisz B. Occupational allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in workers exposed to polyurethane foam. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2014;27:196-205.
5. Gambichler T, Boms S, Freitag M. Contact dermatitis and other skin conditions in instrumental musicians. BMC Dermatol 2004;4:3.