Assessment of Parent-Child Comprehension of Pediatric Patch Testing and Barriers to Improvement
Fellow
Sarah Kamsiah Zemlok, BA
University of Connecticut
Mentor
Jeff Yu, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Overview
Children diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) often face difficulties in their daily lives, including problems with sleep, schoolwork, and socializing. While patch testing is the go-to method for diagnosing ACD, patients struggle to recognize and avoid allergens, which can worsen their condition. Although avoiding known allergens can help improve their skin, children have an even harder time because they may not fully understand the problem, and they encounter different caregivers, materials, and environments every day. Studies on how well children follow allergen avoidance advice after testing are limited, but research on adults suggests that even when patients remember their allergens, additional factors may prevent them from avoiding allergens. This study aims to find out what children and their caregivers do not understand about managing ACD, so we can develop better ways to help them.
Status
This project was funded through a 2024 PeDRA Research Fellowship Grant.
