What mechanism defines Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD) concerning skin interaction?
Answer
Direct damage to the skin barrier or cells, often in a dose-dependent manner.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis arises because the offending agent directly assaults the physical structure of the skin, causing damage to the protective barrier or the underlying cells. This mechanism is frequently dose-dependent, meaning that increasing the concentration of the substance or extending the duration of contact leads proportionally to a worse outcome, often likened to a chemical burn or abrasion. This direct cellular disruption is the defining factor that separates ICD from allergic reactions, which rely on the specific machinery of the adaptive immune system.
Related Questions
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