Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Precision Implementation of Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) Testing to Assess Individual Variation in Human Inflammatory Response
06:31

Precision Implementation of Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) Testing to Assess Individual Variation in Human Inflammatory Response

Published on: October 3, 2019

Clinically relevant patch test reactions in children--a United States based study

Sharon E Jacob1, Bruce Brod, Glen H Crawford

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA. sjacob@contactderm.net

Pediatric Dermatology
|October 28, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Allergic contact dermatitis is common in children with persistent eczema, with 83% showing positive patch tests. Clinically relevant allergies were found in 77% of pediatric patients, highlighting the need for allergy testing.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pediatric Allergy
  • Contact Dermatitis

Background:

  • Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) prevalence in children is underestimated.
  • Patch testing is crucial for diagnosing ACD in pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Confirm prevalence of clinically relevant ACD in children.
  • Identify common contact allergens in pediatric patients.
  • Assess the clinical relevance of patch test reactions in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series analysis of 65 children (aged 1-18) with recalcitrant dermatitis.
  • Patch testing performed over a 5-year period at two referral centers.
  • Evaluation of positive patch test reactions for clinical relevance.

Main Results:

  • 83% of children (54/65) had positive patch test reactions to 80 allergens.
  • 77% of children (50/65) had reactions of definite or probable clinical relevance.
  • Common allergens were identified, though not specified in the abstract.

Conclusions:

  • Allergic contact dermatitis is common in children referred for patch testing.
  • Contact allergy should be considered in pediatric patients with recalcitrant dermatitis.
  • Patch testing is valuable for identifying specific allergens in children.

More Related Videos

Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach09:32

Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach

Published on: September 26, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
Allergic Drug Reactions01:27

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions01:29

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH), or Type IV hypersensitivity, is a cell-mediated immune response. It occurs when T cells, rather than antibodies, mediate a reaction to specific antigens. It is characterized by a delayed onset (1-2 days) and involves the recruitment of macrophages to the inflammation site.The initiation of a DTH response begins with the sensitization of T cells. During this phase, which lasts at least 1-2 weeks, antigen-specific T cells are activated, clonally expanded, and...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions01:19

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis01:30

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...