Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Athletes: A Narrative Review of Allergens, Diagnosis, and Management

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an increasingly common condition among athletes due to repeated exposure to sport-specific equipment, environmental allergens, and topical products. Sweating and repetitive cutaneous trauma facilitate allergen penetration. Rubber accelerators, metals, textile dyes, adhesives, synthetic resins, and topical medications represent the principal allergen categories implicated in sports-related ACD. This narrative review synthesizes the current literature on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, allergen profiles, and sport-specific exposure patterns of ACD in athletes, while outlining the essential principles of clinical recognition and targeted allergen avoidance.