Effect of age and sex on the elicitation of irritant contact dermatitis.

Irritant contact dermatitis causes significant disability to numerous consumers and individuals in industry. Knowledge of the prevalence of this disease remains inadequate. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs in workers engaged in occupations where the subjects are exposed to different types and doses of irritants. The intensity of the reaction depends on the quality and the quantity of exposure. Irritant thresholds and dose responses depend on many different factors. This article reviews the clinical and physiological parameters that affect the age and sex related differences in irritant contact dermatitis.