Eczéma de contact et dermatite atopique de l'enfant : les haptènes

Long debated, the possibility of acquiring contact sensitization to a hapten in patients with atopic dermatitis is currently recognized. The prevalence of contact dermatitis in children with atopic dermatitis is high, at around 40 %. Haptens such as those in perfumes and related substances, nickel, lanolin, and neomycin are those most often involved. Also, the role of the sensitizers used in the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis should not be forgotten because they are responsible for superimposed contact dermatitis in 6 % of this population, in particular sensitizers in emollients but also those in antiseptics, for example chlorexhidine. In children, examination by patch testing when looking for the presence of sensitization to a hapten may be conducted the same as in adults. It is an integral part of today's approach to diagnosis of atopic dermatitis.