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Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(6):1074-1081

Clinical Question: What modalities are effective in the prevention and treatment of contact dermatitis?

Setting: Various (meta-analysis)

Study Design: Systematic review

Synopsis: Contact dermatitis is a common primary care disease. The investigators searched multiple databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Registry of Clinical Trials, and references of relevant articles and reviews. Two authors independently reviewed the studies for eligibility and methodologic quality. A third author arbitrated disagreements. Only controlled trials in English were included. From 413 initial articles, 49 met eligibility criteria. Of these, 12 were rated as good quality, 16 were rated as fair, and 21 were rated as poor and were not included in the final analysis. Barrier creams (e.g., Dermashield, Uniderm [not available in the United States], Dermofilm); high-lipid content moisturizing creams (e.g., Keri brand lotion, Petrolatum [Lipkote], coconut oil); fabric softeners; and cotton glove liners are effective for preventing irritative contact dermatitis. Rhus dermatitis can be reduced or prevented with quaternium 18 bentonite lotion (Ivy Block) and a topical skin protectant. The chelator diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid is effective in preventing dermatitis from nickel, chrome, and copper (common components of jewelry). Steroid preparations are effective in the treatment of irritative and contact dermatitis. The authors did not mention an evaluation for publication bias.

Bottom Line: Barrier creams, high-lipid content moisturizing creams, fabric softeners, and cotton glove liners are effective for preventing irritative contact dermatitis. Rhus dermatitis can be reduced or prevented with quaternium 18 bentonite lotion and a topical skin protectant. Steroid preparations are effective in the treatment of irritative and contact dermatitis. (Level of Evidence: 1a–)

POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) are provided by Essential Evidence Plus, a point-of-care clinical decision support system published by Wiley-Blackwell. For more information, see http://www.essentialevidenceplus.com. Copyright Wiley-Blackwell. Used with permission.

For definitions of levels of evidence used in POEMs, see https://www.essentialevidenceplus.com/Home/Loe?show=Sort.

To subscribe to a free podcast of these and other POEMs that appear in AFP, search in iTunes for “POEM of the Week” or go to http://goo.gl/3niWXb.

This series is coordinated by Natasha J. Pyzocha, DO, contributing editor.

A collection of POEMs published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/poems.

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Copyright © 2006 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

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