This handbook on contact dermatitis, edited by Drs Gebhardt, Elsner, and Marks, is written for the general dermatologist or physician because, as the editors note, most patients with contact dermatitis are treated by primary care physicians and never visit a specialized clinic. With this in mind, the authors provide a well-organized introduction to contact dermatitis and have devised a useful and easily readable guide to patch testing.
The amount of information contained in this handbook cannot compare with that in standard textbooks on contact dermatitis, but the intent is different. The authors attempt to create a source that can be used for quick reference. Residents and those beginning patch testing will find that the condensed chapters summarize a great deal of information. For example, the chapter on contact allergy associated with topical treatment provides an overview of which medicaments are common allergens. The section on occupational contact dermatitis covers a number of important industries such as health care, construction, and hairdressing.