Compositae sensitivity and chronic hand dermatitis in a seven-year-old boy.

Abstract

Compositae dermatitis is rare in childhood, with few cases documented in the literature. We report a 7-year-old boy who presented with a dermatitis mainly affecting his dominant hand. Patch testing revealed contact sensitivity to sesquiterpene lactone (SL) mix, and subsequent testing with Compositae oleoresins showed sensitivity to daisy, dandelion and chrysanthemum. The dermatitis improved on avoidance of handling plants. We have not documented any other cases of Compositae sensitivity in 187 other children, aged under 16 years, who have undergone patch testing with SL mix between 1992 and 1996 in our department. This case illustrates that Compositae sensitivity may present with a localized dermatitis and that, although uncommon, sensitization may occur in early childhood.