Children with Atopic Dermatitis Should Always be Patch-tested if They Have Hand or Foot Dermatitis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Allergology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin condition in children globally.
• Contact allergy is recognized as a contributing factor exacerbating atopic dermatitis.
• Identifying specific allergens is crucial for effective management of pediatric atopic dermatitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of contact allergy in children diagnosed with atopic dermatitis.
• To identify common allergens responsible for contact allergy in this pediatric population.
• To investigate the association between hand/foot eczema and contact allergy in children with atopic dermatitis.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of children diagnosed with atopic dermatitis was evaluated.
• Patch testing was performed to assess for contact allergies.
• Statistical analysis was employed to compare allergy frequencies based on eczema distribution.

Main Results:

• Contact allergy was identified in 26.8% (22/82) of children with atopic dermatitis.
• The most frequent allergens identified were Amerchol L101 (11.0%), potassium dichromate (7.3%), and nickel sulfate (4.9%).
• A statistically significant higher frequency of contact allergy was observed in children with hand and/or foot eczema.

Conclusions:

• Contact allergy is common in children with atopic dermatitis, especially those with hand/foot involvement.
• Patch testing is recommended for children with atopic dermatitis and hand/foot eczema to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis.
• Identifying and avoiding specific contact allergens can improve atopic dermatitis management in children.