Diagnosis and management of allergic contact dermatitis in children: common allergens that can be easily missed.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Contact dermatitis is an economically burdensome pediatric disease, and it is important to know the top allergens that have remained as top offenders for over the last decade.

RECENT FINDINGS: A comparative analysis of the 20-allergen screen was done against the current top 40 pediatric allergens, and it revealed that the 20-allergen screening series would have theoretically only captured 47.5% of the relevant contact allergens (52.5% failure to detect rate). In addition, the T.R.U.E. Test (SmartPractice, Phoenix, Arizona, USA) would have revealed 60% of the top 40 allergens (40% failure to detect rate).

SUMMARY: Patch testing in children has become a more common practice, and management requires the identification and avoidance of the offending allergen from the sensitized person's environment.