Allergic contact dermatitis in the Negev

Allergic contact dermatitis can be acute or chronic and is caused by delayed hypersensitivity to allergens in the surroundings. This retrospective study, the first of its kind in the Negev district, included 150 patients with allergic contact dermatitis. Nickel was the most frequent allergen causing contact dermatitis in both females and males, while chrome was second in frequency. Most of those with positive reactions to patch tests, were females. In females it appeared relatively early, in the 3rd and 4th decades, while in males it tended to appear later. The first lesions most frequently appeared on the dorsal aspect of the hands.