Fragrances and preservatives commonly found in baby wipes, cosmetics, skincare products and toy "slime" are among the most common causes of eczema in Australian children, according to a new study, published in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology.  Children suffering from suspected skin allergies should be patch-tested for 30 of the most common allergens and potential allergens identified in their research.
 

Allergic contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash that develops as an immune response in the days after exposure to an allergen. The condition is diagnosed by patch-testing the skin on the back.

Historically it was thought it rarely affected children due to their immature immune systems and limited exposure. In fact, the researchers, from the Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre at Melbourne's Skin Health Institute, found it was not uncommon for children to suffer from allergic contact dermatitis – and rates appeared to be increasing.
 

Allergic contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash that develops as an immune response in the days after exposure to an allergen. The condition is diagnosed by patch-testing the skin on the back.

Historically it was thought it rarely affected children due to their immature immune systems and limited exposure. In fact, the researchers, from the Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre at Melbourne's Skin Health Institute, found it was not uncommon for children to suffer from allergic contact dermatitis – and rates appeared to be increasing.
 

While the study found very few children under five had been patch-tested, among the six-10 age group, fragrance and colophonium were the most common allergens. Fragrance and nickel sulphate were the most common allergens in the 11–17 age group.

Nickel sulphate allergies were more common among girls, which the authors said was consistent with existing literature and most likely due to the "increased use of jewellery in females", particularly ear piercings.

Armed with evidence of the most common allergens affecting children, the researchers have proposed the first Australian Paediatric Baseline Series – comprising 30 common allergens and potential allergens for patch-testing.

While patch-testing is "the gold standard" for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), it "appears to be performed infrequently in children, and consequently, ACD is likely underdiagnosed", the authors said. "This is unfortunate because ACD can have a significant impact on a child's quality of life, and early, correct, identification of allergens and subsequent avoidance can lead to substantial improvement in symptoms, preventing progression to a chronic disease state."