Every two years, the European Society of Contact Dermatitis holds its biannual conference in a European city, which changes cities for each event.
The SHI patch testing team attend this event to further knowledge, learn about new allergens, advancements in patch testing techniques and new research. The European dermatologists are the leaders in patch testing and contact dermatitis. Attending this conference provides us with a great opportunity to learn and pass this knowledge onto other Australian dermatologists with an interest in patch testing.
The ESCD in 2024 was held in Dresden, 4-7th September. There was great attendance by Australian Dermatologists including A/Prof. Rosemary Nixon (Melb), Dr Jennifer Cahill (Melb), Dr Mei Tam (Melb), Dr Claire Higgins (Melb), Dr Elizabeth Chow (Sydney) and CNC, Amanda Palmer (SHI) and research fellows from our SHI including Dr Seamus Fuller and Amreeta Kaur.
Our staff contributed presentations and research posters during his 4-day event. It also gave Rosemary Nixon the opportunity to attend an international meeting with members of the ICDRG. Dr Nixon also presented one of our research projects examining the effectiveness of patch testing with old and expired allergens.
It was also an amazing opportunity for us to catch up with international colleagues (and past research fellows) including Dr Jason Wiliams.
We received a fantastic update about new trends and emerging allergens in patch testing and contact dermatitis, with topics including:
Social media influenced trends in contact dermatitis
Patch testing on systemic therapy
Allergic contact cheilitis
Topical JAKi for hand eczema
“Contact points”
If you are interested in learning morning about the ESCD please download our talk from the patch test training day from May 2025.
