Allergic contact dermatitis in children; has there been a change in allergens?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dermatology
• Allergology

Background:

• Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is increasingly diagnosed in pediatric populations.
• Understanding current allergen prevalence is crucial for effective diagnosis and management in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare patch test results in children from 2009-2011 with a previous study from 1999-2002.
• To identify trends in pediatric allergic contact dermatitis triggers.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patch test results in 137 children under 16 years old (2009-2011).
• Comparison with a prior 3-year study (1999-2002).

Main Results:

• Nickel sulfate and potassium dichromate were the most frequent allergens (7.2% each).
• Nickel allergy incidence decreased from 20% (1999-2002) to 7.2% (2009-2011).
• Fragrance allergy rates remained stable (5.8%), while rubber allergy incidence significantly reduced.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric allergen profiles for contact dermatitis are evolving.
• Patch testing remains a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying allergens in children.