Patch testing in children and adolescents: five years' experience and follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Allergic contact dermatitis in children is a significant clinical problem. Little information is available concerning the value of patch testing and the outcome in these children.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to assess the value of patch testing in children and the outcome of allergic contact dermatitis in childhood.


METHODS
Clinical data on 83 children patch tested during a 5-year period were assessed. Clinical follow-up on 68 subjects was performed.


RESULTS
Overall, 41 children had one or more allergic reactions (49%). Reactions to metals, topical preparations, and food additives were common. The clinical outcome at 6 months was significantly better for 36 children with a relevant allergen on patch testing than in 32 with no allergen or no relevant allergen (p = 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
Patch testing is useful in the management of children suspected of having an allergic contact dermatitis. Patch testing and subsequent allergen avoidance may improve the prognosis in children with a relevant contact allergen.
Shah
M
M
Department of Dermatology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Lewis
F M
FM
Gawkrodger
D J
DJ
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005503:Food Additives / Q000009:adverse effects; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects; D010328:Patch Tests; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000485:Allergens; D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D005503:Food Additives; D008670:Metals; D009532:Nickel