- Atopic dermatitis is a standard pores and skin situation with unknown causes. Allergic contact dermatitis is said to publicity to sure substances that set off an allergic response.
- Research is ongoing about how atopic dermatitis could also be associated to different pores and skin circumstances.
- A brand new research discovered proof that youngsters with atopic dermatitis could also be extra in danger for allergic contact dermatitis.
- The outcomes level to the usefulness of follow-up testing amongst youngsters with atopic dermatitis in order that medical doctors can decide the very best course of remedy.
Atopic dermatitis, extra generally known as eczema, is an disagreeable pores and skin situation widespread amongst youngsters.
While this can be the first pores and skin drawback occurring, recent proof means that there could also be extra to the story.
A research revealed within the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology examined greater than 900 youngsters with and with out atopic dermatitis.
The researchers reported that youngsters who already had atopic dermatitis have been extra prone to have allergic contact dermatitis as properly.
They mentioned the research’s outcomes point out that youngsters identified with atopic dermatitis could profit from additional scientific testing to establish different pores and skin sensitivities which may be current.
People with atopic dermatitis usually have purple, itchy patches of pores and skin that may seem in varied places. The pores and skin situation can worsen when individuals scratch or choose on the pores and skin. The exact reason behind atopic dermatitis is unknown.
In distinction,
In patch testing, a dermatologist will put small quantities of drugs that would trigger an allergic response on the pores and skin and put a patch over the realm. Based on the response, medical doctors can decide the trigger so individuals can keep away from that individual substance.
Sometimes, it may be difficult for medical doctors to tell apart between atopic and allergic contact dermatitis.
Dr. India Hill, a pediatric dermatologist at Children’s Hospital New Orleans who was not concerned within the research, defined to Medical News Today:
“Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease influenced by both innate and external factors. Allergic contact dermatitis is a reproducible delayed type 4 hypersensitivity reaction to a specific allergen. Though these two conditions may occur in the same individual, they each have distinct underlying pathophysiology. The two conditions may be difficult to distinguish clinically because they share similar morphologic findings.”
Researchers of the present research wished to look extra into the connection between having atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. They additionally wished to see if youngsters with atopic dermatitis have been extra prone to have reactions to particular allergens.
This research was a retrospective case-control research. Researchers included 912 youngsters of their information assortment. Of the youngsters they included within the research, 615 of the youngsters had atopic dermatitis and 297 didn’t have atopic dermatitis. These youngsters had been referred for patch testing between 2018 and 2022.
Researchers reported that youngsters with atopic dermatitis have been extra prone to have seen extra suppliers earlier than they underwent patch testing.
Researchers mentioned that the youngsters with atopic dermatitis “were more likely to have more than one positive reaction.” They additionally discovered that the youngsters with atopic dermatitis have been extra prone to expertise constructive take a look at outcomes than youngsters with out atopic dermatitis.
They additional reported that youngsters with atopic dermatitis have been extra prone to expertise an allergic response to sure substances, together with bacitracin, carba combine, and cocamidopropyl betaine.
Researchers famous that youngsters with atopic dermatitis could have elevated publicity to those substances. For instance, bacitracin is a part of many widespread over-the-counter topical antibiotics and cocamidopropyl betaine is a part of extra light skincare merchandise.
Dr. Dustin Portela, an osteopathic doctor specializing in dermatology who was not concerned within the research, commented on the research to Medical News Today:
“This study reveals that allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) may be under-diagnosed in our patients with AD [atopic dermatitis]. Although AD tends to make its first appearance at younger ages than ACD, these patients are more likely to develop contact allergies due to their compromised skin barrier and activated immune system. If we can more frequently identify which AD patients have concomitant ACD we can help those patients avoid their allergens and improve their disease symptoms more effectively. This should allow us to decrease those children’s exposure to topical corticosteroids.”
This analysis does have sure limitations.
First, it can’t set up that having one specific sort of dermatitis causes one other sort of dermatitis.
Researchers be aware that there could have been technical variables that influenced patch-testing outcomes since totally different facilities carried out the testing.
Interpretation of take a look at outcomes and prognosis could not have been correct in each case, so there could have been misclassification bias.
There was additionally the opportunity of choice bias.
In addition, many of the youngsters included within the research have been white women, so the outcomes may not apply to different populations.
Finally, researchers have been restricted by reliance on affected person reporting, which isn’t at all times correct for sure information assortment parts reminiscent of how lengthy a toddler had had atopic dermatitis and what number of earlier suppliers the kid had seen.
Researchers didn’t have access to contributors’ medical information, so they may not affirm atopic dermatitis diagnoses or contributors’ medical historical past.
Regardless of those limitations, specialists say the outcomes point out the potential advantages of patch testing amongst youngsters with atopic dermatitis.
Dr. Amelia Damse, an osteopathic doctor specializing in dermatology and working towards at Oceans Dermatology in Florida who was not concerned within the research, famous the next scientific implications to Medical News Today:
“The study’s data carries substantial clinical implications for dermatologists managing pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis. The heightened patch test reactivity suggests a need for increased vigilance in selecting skincare products, emphasizing the importance of hypoallergenic formulations. Clinicians should be attuned to potential sensitivities, particularly towards commonly used allergens like cocamidopropyl betaine and bacitracin. This underscores the necessity for personalized skincare regimens, with a focus on minimizing allergen exposure.”
