Preschool atopic dermatitis and adolescent contact allergy

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease in children. The disease presents with red, itching and scaly skin, and results in a weakened skin barrier. When atopic dermatitis starts in early childhood, children may be treated with medical ointments and moisturizers for a long time. Such products often contain substances that can cause contact allergy. Contact allergy is caused by skin contact with chemical substances that are allergenic, e.g. contact allergens. Repeated contact with the allergen will result in dermatitis. This study investigated if atopic dermatitis in early childhood increases the risk for contact allergy in the teenage years. The study was performed among 2215 16‐year‐olds in Sweden. These 16‐year‐old participants had been followed since birth with questionnaires, clinical examinations and blood tests, to study environmental factors and allergies in children as part of a large population study called the BAMSE study. At 16 years, the participants were tested for contact allergy with a skin patch test. Nickel allergy was the most common contact allergy and fragrance (perfume) allergy was second most common. The results of this study indicate that atopic dermatitis in early childhood may increase the risk of having contact allergy to perfumes at 16 years, but not the risk of nickel allergy at 16 years. This study indicates that avoiding scented and perfume‐containing products is a good idea in children with atopic dermatitis in early childhood.