Akademik

1. Irritating; causing irritation. 2. Any agent with this action.

- primary i. a substance that causes inflammation and other evidence of irritation, particularly of the skin, on first contact or exposure, or as a reaction to cumulative contacts, not dependent on a mechanism of sensitization.

ir·ri·tant 'ir-ə-tənt adj causing irritation specif tending to produce inflammation

irritant n something that irritates or excites specif an agent by which irritation is produced <a chemical \irritant>

any material that causes irritation of a tissue, ranging from nettles (causing pain and swelling) to tear gas (causing watering of the eyes). Chronic irritation by various chemicals can give rise to dermatitis.