skin sensitisationDEFINITION immunological process that results when a susceptible individual is exposed topically to an inducing chemical allergen, which provokes a cutaneous immune response that can lead to the development of <i>contact sensitisation</i> [ IATE:3540997 ] REFERENCE OECD. Test No. 429: Skin SensitisationLocal Lymph Node Assay. <i>OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 4</i>. ISSN: 2074-5788 (online). ISBN: 9789264071100 (PDF), http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/download/9742901e.pdf?expires=1413804812&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=2D9BE51F1CFFC91B5CE4686F73E0310B [20.10.2014]
COMMENT Skin sensitisation includes two phases: the first phase is induction of specialised immunological memory in an individual by exposure to an allergen; in this phase the immune system learns to react. The second phase is elicitation, i.e. production of a cell-mediated or antibody-mediated allergic response by exposure of a sensitised individual to an allergen; clinical symptoms can then arise when subsequent exposure is sufficient to elicit a visible skin reaction.<HR>Reference: Regulation (CE) n. 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, CELEX:32008R1272/EN <HR><HR>Not to be confused with <i>skin irritation</i> IATE:1594380