Does aluminium in sunscreens cause dermatitis in children with aluminium contact allergy: A repeated open application test study

BACKGROUND: Parents report that children with aluminium contact allergy and vaccination granulomas may react to aluminium-containing sunscreen following application.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether contact dermatitis develops following repeated application of aluminium-containing sunscreens in children with aluminium sensitization and vaccination granulomas.

METHODS: Sixteen children aged 2-9 years (mean age 5 years) with vaccination granulomas and a positive patch test reaction to aluminium chloride hexahydrate 2%/10% petrolatum completed a blinded repeated open application test (ROAT) with two daily applications of two sunscreens for 14 days. One cream contained aluminium and the other did not. The children served as their own controls.

RESULTS: Sixteen children completed the study. Only one child (6%) had a positive skin reaction during ROAT on day 2 to the sunscreen with aluminium. None reacted to the sunscreen without aluminium.

CONCLUSIONS: Use of aluminium-containing sunscreens may on a case basis lead to allergic contact dermatitis in aluminium allergic children.