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Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Children: Recommendations for Patch Testing

  • Allergic Skin Diseases (L Fonacier and A Wollenberg, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) affects 20% of children. However, diagnosis of ACD may be underreported in children due to lack of recognition. Patch testing is the gold standard for evaluation of ACD in children but poses unique challenges in this population.

Recent Findings

Recent studies highlight the significance of ACD and the utility of patch testing in children. Evaluation of ACD in children is difficult and requires knowledge of a child’s exposure history, careful selection of allergens, and knowledge of specialized patch testing considerations to minimize irritation and maximize cooperation. Until recently, there were no agreed upon patch test series for children. In 2018, a comprehensive pediatric baseline series was published enabling thorough evaluation of ACD in children (Yu J, Atwater AR, Brod B, Chen JK, Chisolm SS, Cohen DE, et al. Dermatitis. 2018;29(4):206–12).

Summary

This review provides an overview of the current literature, an update on pediatric ACD, and patch testing methods in children to effectively evaluate and manage ACD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Idy Tam

  2. Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford St, Suite 200, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Idy Tam & JiaDe Yu

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    JiaDe Yu

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  1. Idy Tam
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Correspondence to JiaDe Yu.

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Tam, I., Yu, J. Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Children: Recommendations for Patch Testing. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 20, 41 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-020-00939-z

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