Contact sensitivity and recalcitrant wounds.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common and under-recognized phenomenon in patients with recalcitrant wounds. There are many possible causes including components of numerous agents used to treat these wounds, such as topical antibiotics, adhesives in dressings, emollients, emulsifiers, and self-administered medicaments. Considering allergic contact dermatitis when a wound is recalcitrant is important in the management of wounds. Etiologic agents, controversies, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of contact sensitivity are discussed.