Severe irritant reaction following sequential waxing and use of a chemical depilatory cream in an adolescent

A 15-year-old girl presented with leg wounds that were sustained after waxing and subsequent chemical depilation. History revealed prior usage of chemical depilatories without irritation. Given this finding, we suspect that waxing disrupted the epidermal barrier and, therefore, rendered the patient more susceptible to severe irritant contact dermatitis upon depilation. While there are reported cases of irritant contact dermatitis and chemical burns secondary to waxing or depilatory cream use in adults, a literature review found no reported cases of chemical burns in a pediatric patient or adult consequent to using these methods in tandem.