Contact Dermatitis and Related Exposures in Danish Adolescents-Self-Reported Data From a Nationwide Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND

Very little is known about skin exposures and related contact dermatitis among adolescents in the general population.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the epidemiology of contact dermatitis and related skin exposures in Danish adolescents.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study was designed as a self-administered questionnaire study. An electronic questionnaire, intended to cover previous and current atopic dermatitis, previous and current facial- and hand eczema, and current skin exposures, was sent out to a random sample of 13.000 Danish individuals aged 15-19 years.

RESULTS

A total of 5251 (40%) responded to the questionnaire. More than one third of participants (33.8%) reported a history of contact dermatitis from the use of a cosmetic product, and nearly 20% had a history of dermatitis following skin contact with a metal item. The risk of contact dermatitis from the use of cosmetic products was significantly and strongly associated with female sex (OR 2.9) and atopic dermatitis (OR 1.8).

CONCLUSION

Adolescent girls were significantly more exposed to cosmetic products, piercings, hair dye, brow tints and artificial nails compared to boys and at a younger age. Given that contact dermatitis may become chronic and result in lifelong skin issues, greater attention should be directed toward enhancing the safety of cosmetic products.