DERMATOLOGY: CHILDREN AND CONTACT DERMATITIS. DR. JOSHUA FOX, leading dermatologist and founder of ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY and THE CENTER FOR LASER AND COSMETIC SURGERY”
Approximately 20 percent of all children at some time have contact dermatitis — redness, swelling, itching and flaking of the skin. This is the result of an allergen’s direct contact with the skin; the longer the substance remains on the skin, oftentimes, the more severe the reaction. Approximately 20-35 percent of healthy children react to one or more allergens on standard patch tests. Family history is also a good predictor. Children whose parents have contact dermatitis are 60 percent more likely to have positive patch test results.”