To prevent allergic contact dermatitis, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.
Behavioral risk factors
- Smoking
Other risk factors
- Exposure to the potentially triggering substance; the following substances are among the most common triggers of allergic contact dermatitis:
- Fragrances – in about 2%, contact allergy can be detected by epicutaneous test (synonyms: patch test, patch test); main allergens are: Hydroxyisohexyl-3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC), oakmoss (Evernia prunastri), cinnamaldehyde, hydroxycitronella, hexylcinnamaldehyde.
- Epoxy resin
- Formaldehyde
- Potassium dichromate
- Cobalt chloride
- Lanolin (alcohols)
- Sodium thiosulfatoaurate
- Neomycin (antibiotic)
- Nickel (nickel sulfate) [potentially contained in: Jewelry, watch cases and bands, buttons, rivets, buckles, zippers and metal markings, if used in clothing; no claim to completeness!]
- Octocrylene (UV filter) [rather rare]
- Palladium
- Paraben mix (preservatives)
- Peru balsam
- P-phenylenediamine (dyes)
- Turpentine
- Toluene-2,5-diamine
- Dental crowns (palladium) – in the case of metal contact allergy, exposure to dental crowns with a palladium alloy could play a role
Preventive measures
Protect your skin from contact with these irritants. Cleaning products can cause skin irritation by drying out your skin and other ingredients cause an allergic reaction.
| Ingredients | Contained in |
| Ammonia | Disinfectants, floor cleaners, window and glass cleaners, all-purpose cleaners. |
| Chlorides and alky- and ammonium chloride | Mold Remover |
| Ammonia solution (ammonium hydroxide) | Stain remover |
| Hydrogen chloride | Drain cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner |
| Lye | Oven cleaner, drain cleaner |
| Petroleum distillates | Furniture wax and polishes |
| Solvents containing petroleum | Floor cleaner, floor wax |
| Phenol (carbolic) | Antibacterial cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, furniture polishes. |
| Sodium bisulfate | Toilet bowl cleaner |
| Sodium hypochlorite | Disinfectant, stain remover, general-purpose cleaner. |
| Sodium or potassium hydroxide | Drain cleaner, oven cleaner |