Patch testing of Singapore children and adolescents: our experience over 18 years

This is a retrospective epidemiologic study of allergic contact dermatitis in children and adolescents in Singapore who had undergone patch testing from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 2003. A total of 2,340 patients below the age of 21 years had undergone patch testing. Of these, 1,063 (583 girls, 480 boys) were positive to one or more allergens. The most common allergens were: nickel (40%), thimerosal (15%), colophony (9%), lanolin (8%), cobalt (8%), fragrance mix (5%), and neomycin (4%). Each of these allergens will be discussed individually. This is the first study with over 1000 patients on this subject from Asia.