Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis can occur at all ages. In infants and small children irritative, i.e., nonallergic, contact dermatitis is more frequent than allergic eczema but even this can occur in childhood. Frequent contact allergens are nickel, preservatives and dyes. The fact that exposure to contact allergens can occur at an early age via emollients and other cosmetics is underestimated. Particularly exposed are children with atopic dermatitis who have an increased risk of sensitization due to their immanent epidermal barrier defect. Frequent contact allergens in skincare cosmetics are cocamidopropyl betaine and fragrances, lanolin, lanolin alcohol (amerchol) and propylene glycol. It is also not uncommon to find contact allergens in products advertised as "hypoallergenic" or "for sensitive skin".