Contact dermatitis in adolescents.

BACKGROUND Adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 are exposed to a series of substances capable of causing contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES (1) To study the frequency and characteristics of allergic contact dermatitis in adolescents, (2) to characterize the group being studied, and (3) to verify the main sensitizing substances among this age group. METHODS From 1996 to 2001, 1,027 patients with a suspicion of contact dermatitis were analyzed, and patients between 10 and 19 years of age were selected. These patients were submitted to contact tests. RESULTS Among the 102 adolescents, 93 (91%) were female and 9 (9%) were male. The face was the area most affected by dermatosis. The contact tests were positive in 64 patients (56%), whereas in 45 (44%) they were negative. The main location of the contact dermatitis was the face (36%). The substances with higher frequencies of sensitization were nickel sulfate in 33 (31%) patients and tosylamide-formaldehyde resin in 13 (12%) patients. CONCLUSION Contact dermatitis in adolescents was more frequent in white girls and on the face. The substances with greater frequency of sensitization were nickel sulfate and tosylamide-formaldehyde resin. These two substances are related to adolescent habits and behavior.