Contact dermatitis: A great imitator.

Contact dermatitis (CD) refers to a group of cutaneous diseases caused by contact with allergens or irritants. It is characterized by different stages of an eczematous eruption and has the ability to mimic a wide variety of dermatologic conditions, including inflammatory dermatitis, infectious conditions, cutaneous lymphoma, drug eruptions, and nutritional deficiencies. Irritant CD and allergic CD are the two main presentations of the disease. The diagnosis is based on a detailed history, physical examination, and patch testing, if necessary. Knowing the conditions mimicked by CD should improve the accuracy of the diagnosis. Avoiding the causative substances and taking preventive measures are necessary for the treatment.