Allergic contact dermatitis in children and adolescents

From a clinical point of view, the prevalence of allergic contact dermatiti s (ACD) among children and adolescents seems to be low. However, many child ren have dermatitis, most often atopic dermatitis. In selected cases, ACD i s suspected, and the child is tested. The question remains, whether the pre valence of ACD in children really is low or whether the possibility of ACD is not sufficiently considered. During the last decade, reports have appear ed on series of children and adolescents with contact allergy and ACD Few c ases have been reported in infants, but the development of contact allergy and ACD increases with age. Most studies include selected groups of childre n and adolescents with suspected ACD. Few studies have examined unselected populations, and most consider only the prevalence of contact allergy witho ut evaluating the clinical relevance, e.g., the prevalence of ACD. Furtherm ore, no follow-up studies exist. Therefore, the incidence and prevalence of contact allergy and ACD in children and adolescents is largely unknown.