Fragrance and Cosmetic Contact Allergy in Children

Abstract

A consensual definition of childhood must be established concerning contact allergy. Little is known about contact allergy to fragrances and cosmetic products in children. Thus, contact allergy is under-recognized. Fragrances are one of the main causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Recently, French cosmetovigilance has shown that cosmetic contact allergy is frequently diagnosed as allergic contact dermatitis but also in some cases as urticaria. Children have to be tested when they suffer from contact urticaria or eczema, whatever their age. The etiological treatment is always to avoid the allergen; some immediate allergic reactions require the patient to own emergency treatment. Actually, there is a lack of knowledge. Each case of contact allergy due to cosmetic products has to be reported to the relevant cosmetovigilance system. Moreover, more studies concerning the relevance of positive patch tests to the applicable markers have to be conducted to improve our knowledge about contact allergy to fragrances and cosmetic products in children.