What term refers to an abnormal skin condition caused by an irritant or allergen?

The term that specifically refers to an abnormal skin condition caused by an irritant or allergen is contact dermatitis. This condition occurs when the skin reacts to substances that come into direct contact with it, leading to symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, and sometimes blistering.

Contact dermatitis can be classified into two categories: irritant contact dermatitis, which is caused by exposure to irritating chemicals, and allergic contact dermatitis, which results from an allergic reaction to a particular allergen. Understanding this distinction is important for nail technicians who may be exposed to various products and chemicals during their work.

The other terms do not accurately describe this specific condition. While "adverse skin reaction" is a general term that could encompass a variety of skin issues, it does not pinpoint the type of reaction that contact dermatitis represents. Cellulitis refers to a bacterial skin infection, and dermatitis is a broader term that includes various inflammatory skin conditions, of which contact dermatitis is a specific type. Thus, contact dermatitis is the precise term for an abnormal skin reaction due to irritants or allergens.