Patch Test Results of Contact Sensitization in Children Without Atopic Dermatitis: A Single Tertiary Center Experience.

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) has become more frequent in children. The prevalence of contact sensitization varies with respect to age, sex, and geographic localization.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the experience of a tertiary health center regarding the patch test results of contact sensitization in children without atopic dermatitis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of 89 children (30 boys and 59 girls) who were aged between 3 and 18 years and who were diagnosed with ACD between July 2013 and July 2017. Children with a known history of atopic dermatitis were excluded. All patients were tested with the TRUE (Thin-layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous) test series.

RESULTS

The most frequently determined allergens by TRUE test were methylchloroisothiazolinone (n = 7 [16.3%]), disperse blue 106 (n = 5 [11.6%]), and bacitracin (n = 5 [11.6%]). Formaldehyde-related allergens produced 15 positives.

CONCLUSIONS

Preservatives, such as methylchloroisothiazolinone, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde releasers, emerge as the most frequent allergens in children who undergo patch testing because of ACD. This finding might be attributed to the increase in the utilization of these chemical compounds in personal hygiene products for children.