We have evaluated a subchronic model of contact hypersensitivity in the guinea pig to mimic human chronic/recurrent eczema. Repeated challenges of the ears of previously sensitized guinea pigs with 0.1 % dinitrochlorobenzene (once a week for 4 weeks) induced a typical oedema response, which increased during the first 48 h after each challenge. Crusts were detectable (48 h after challenge) and histological observations (72 h after challenge) revealed hyperplasia, papillomatosis, hyperkeratosis and some mononuclear cell infiltrates in the dermis. In agreement with clinical observations in humans, topical treatment of challenged animals with corticosteroid (1 % hydrocortisone) reduced the oedema, hyperplasia, papillomatosis, and leucocyte infiltrates, while application of 5% bufexamac (a non-steroidal drug) was associated with a slight enhancement of the inflammatory response. Thus, this model presents clinical and histological similarities with human eczema. Its pharmacological relevance is also suggested, although further investigations are required to better define its selectivity.