title: Persistent Skin Reactions and Aluminium Hypersensitivity Induced by Childhood Vaccines.
abstract: There is increasing awareness of reactions to vaccination that include persistent skin reactions. We present here a retrospective investigation of long-lasting skin reactions and aluminium hypersensitivity in children, based on medical records and questionnaires sent to the parents. In the 10-year period 2003 to 2013 we identified 47 children with persistent skin reactions caused by childhood vaccinations. Most patients had a typical presentation of persisting pruritic subcutaneous nodules. Five children had a complex diagnostic process involving paediatricians, orthopaedics and plastic surgeons. Two patients had skin biopsies performed from their skin lesions, and 2 patients had the nodules surgically removed. Forty-two children had a patch-test performed with 2% aluminium chloride hexahydrate in petrolatum and 39 of them (92%) had a positive reaction. The persistent skin reactions were treated with potent topical corticosteroids and disappeared slowly. Although we advised families to continue vaccination of their children, one-third of parents omitted or postponed further vaccinations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Elaha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salik
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Løvik
authors.forename: Klaus E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bygum
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum