Contact with an irritant, where physical or chemical damage to the barrier layer of the skin exceeds the skin’s ability to repair the damage. Irritants include over- and under-hydration, soaps and detergents, solvents, abrasives, acids and alkalis. Degree of damage following irritant exposure depends on irritant potency, duration of application, freq. of exposure, occlusion, temp, anatomical site and individual susceptibility.