Allergic contact dermatitis in children.

Allergic contact dermatitis accounts for up to 20% of all dermatitis in childhood. The major sources of contact allergy in childhood are metals, shoes, preservatives, and plants. There is considerable variability from region to region and country to country in the prevalence and causes of contact dermatitis in childhood. We suggest that patch testing be done more frequently in evaluating dermatitis in children. Topical or systemic glucocorticosteroids and allergen avoidance are the mainstays of therapy in childhood.