Contact sensitization by age group in adults: patch-test data from the Massachusetts General Hospital, 1996 to 2006

Allergic contact sensitization may occur at any age, showing specific rates of sensitization and allergen frequency related to periods of life.

To describe sensitization rates of specific allergens with respect to age distribution in adults in a cross-sectional study.

Data of 713 patients referred for patch testing at the Massachusetts General Hospital Contact Dermatitis Clinic were analyzed. Testing was conducted with baseline (29 allergens) and customized series between January 1996 and December 2006.

Although trends were noted, there was no statistically significant difference with respect to rate of sensitization or number of positive allergens in the various age groups. Fragrance mix and nickel sulfate were the most common allergens through all age groups. In older age groups, a statistically significant higher sensitization rate was shown for fragrance mix (p = .005) and balsam of Peru (p < .005) whereas the rate for nickel was lower (p = .002).

For specific allergens such as nickel and fragrances, significant variations occur in different stages of life. Even with these variations, we found that the overall rates of positive patch-test reactions were similar in the three age groups evaluated.