Patch testing in skin of color: A brief report

Pediatr Dermatol. 2021 Jul;38(4):952-953. doi: 10.1111/pde.14578. Epub 2021 Mar 20.

Abstract

It is critical that dermatology training prepares physicians to recognize cutaneous changes in skin of color populations. Patch testing is the gold standard for identifying triggers of contact dermatitis and can be challenging to interpret in skin of color given the need to see erythema, particularly for a 1 + positive interpretation. Given the paucity of clinical images of skin of color in the literature, we provide images of two pediatric patients presenting with positive patch tests to demonstrate an approach to the clinical interpretation of patch testing in patients with more melanin in the skin.

Keywords: allergic contact dermatitis; patch testing; skin of color.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens
  • Child
  • Dermatitis, Allergic Contact*
  • Erythema
  • Ethnic and Racial Minorities
  • Humans
  • Patch Tests
  • Skin

Substances

  • Allergens