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Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) has historically been thought to be uncommon in young children. Investigators evaluated patch test results from a cohort of 321 children younger than 3 years (mean age, 27 months; 177 girls) with suspected ACD seen at a pediatric dermatology clinic in Italy. A standard series of 30 allergens were placed on the upper back, removed at day 2, and read on days 2 and 4. No systemic antihistamines or corticosteroids had been used; topical corticosteroids had not been applied for at least 1 week. Patch readings were considered positive only if an increasing reaction was present on day 4.
Positive reactions occurred in 58% of girls and 68% of boys; 69 children had two reactions, and 95 children (30%) were polysensit…