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European Society of Contact Dermatitis

Welcome to our website

How to patch
test

Ask

Your colleagues...

Are you in doubt about a diagnosis, the choice of an allergen or just curious?

Then ask your colleagues

Membership
forum

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and get free access

…to guidelines, master classes, reference books, the journal Contact Dermatitis and participate in task forces influencing policies in Europe.

The European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) is the leading source of expertise, in the field of cutaneous allergy, environmental and occupational dermatitis.

Become a
member

Recommended
publications
and guidelines

Recommendations of the European
Society of Contact Dermatitis

many open access in:

Contact Dermatitis

About the
ESCD

Patch testing book

Patch Testing 5th Edition

The full text of Anton de Groot’s well-known book Patch Testing (5th edition, 2022) is available to all members of the Society. A big thank you from The Executive Committee goes out to Dr de Groot for his generous donation of the book.

How to inform patients

The ESCD has written patient information leaflets for allergens within the baseline series. They were designed to be provided to patients at the time of consultation so that the applicability of advice and relevance can be tailored to the individual by their physician.

Contact Dermatitis
Journal

The Journal Contact Dermatitis is the official journal of the ESCD. It publishes scientific discoveries in the field of cutaneous allergy, environmental and occupational dermatitis, including chemical aspects, immunology, and drug reactions. Its impact factor is (2023): 4.8

(members have free access for individual non-commercial use)

Social media

Cover for ESCD
60
ESCD

ESCD

The ESCD promotes interest in contact dermatitis and environmental & occupational skin diseases

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
16 hours ago

🎨 “PPD-free” isn’t always PPD-free.

A new case report by Wimolsiri Iamsumang reveals three patients who developed allergic contact dermatitis from a hair dye marketed as p-phenylenediamine (PPD)-free.

🔬 Chemical analysis showed the product actually contained 2.9% PPD—exceeding legal limits in both Thailand and the EU.

⚠️ This case highlights a serious gap in product labelling and regulation, especially for cosmetic products in global markets.

📄 A reminder to clinicians: Always test patients’ personal products when allergy is suspected.

🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14813

#ContactDermatitis #HairDyeAllergy #PPD #CosmeticSafety #Dermatology #Mislabeling #ConsumerProtection
... See MoreSee Less

🎨 “PPD-free” isn’t always PPD-free.

A new case report by Wimolsiri Iamsumang reveals three patients who developed allergic contact dermatitis from a hair dye marketed as p-phenylenediamine (PPD)-free.

🔬 Chemical analysis showed the product actually contained 2.9% PPD—exceeding legal limits in both Thailand and the EU.

⚠️ This case highlights a serious gap in product labelling and regulation, especially for cosmetic products in global markets.

📄 A reminder to clinicians: Always test patients’ personal products when allergy is suspected.

🔗 Read more: https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14813

#ContactDermatitis #HairDyeAllergy #PPD #CosmeticSafety #Dermatology #Mislabeling #ConsumerProtection
16 hours ago

🧴 Are “gentle” ingredients triggering allergies in kids?

A new study led by Silada Kanokrungsee using data from Belgium (Antwerp) reports a surprisingly high rate of contact allergy to glucosides—mild surfactants found in many children’s shampoos, soaps, and sunscreens.

📊 Over 11% of children patch-tested showed positive reactions, especially those with atopic dermatitis. Many reactions were weak (+) and possibly false positives, raising concerns about patch test interpretation and product safety.

⚠️ A call for caution when formulating and testing pediatric skincare products.

🔗 Read the study: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14812

#PediatricDermatology #ContactAllergy #Glucosides #SkinHealth #PatchTesting #AtopicDermatitis #CosmeticSafety #DermatologyResearch
... See MoreSee Less

🧴 Are “gentle” ingredients triggering allergies in kids?

A new study led by Silada Kanokrungsee using data from Belgium (Antwerp) reports a surprisingly high rate of contact allergy to glucosides—mild surfactants found in many children’s shampoos, soaps, and sunscreens.

📊 Over 11% of children patch-tested showed positive reactions, especially those with atopic dermatitis. Many reactions were weak (+) and possibly false positives, raising concerns about patch test interpretation and product safety.

⚠️ A call for caution when formulating and testing pediatric skincare products.

🔗 Read the study: https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14812

#PediatricDermatology #ContactAllergy #Glucosides #SkinHealth #PatchTesting #AtopicDermatitis #CosmeticSafety #DermatologyResearch
17 hours ago

💅 Contact allergy to nail products is on the rise—despite EU regulations.

In a 5-year Italian study, Elena Sofia Caroppo and colleagues found an increasing trend of allergic contact dermatitis to 2-HEMA, especially in young women using artificial nail products.

📊 Among over 7,000 patients patch tested, 2.7% were positive in 2023—up from 1.6% in 2019.

⚠️ Despite 2020 EU restrictions, non-compliant nail products remain widely available, highlighting gaps in enforcement and public health protection.

🔗 Full article: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14800

#ContactDermatitis #allergyawareness #2hema #dermatology #cosmeticregulation #PublicHealth #patchtesting
... See MoreSee Less

💅 Contact allergy to nail products is on the rise—despite EU regulations.

In a 5-year Italian study, Elena Sofia Caroppo and colleagues found an increasing trend of allergic contact dermatitis to 2-HEMA, especially in young women using artificial nail products.

📊 Among over 7,000 patients patch tested, 2.7% were positive in 2023—up from 1.6% in 2019.

⚠️ Despite 2020 EU restrictions, non-compliant nail products remain widely available, highlighting gaps in enforcement and public health protection.

🔗 Full article: https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14800

#ContactDermatitis #AllergyAwareness #2HEMA #Dermatology #CosmeticRegulation #PublicHealth #PatchTesting
1 week ago

🧤 How much is too much? Setting safety thresholds for rubber glove allergens. In a new study led by Christoffer Kursawe Larsen, researchers determined the threshold dose of TETD—a common rubber accelerator—that can trigger allergic contact dermatitis.

📌 Using patch testing and a glove-use simulation, they found an ED₁₀ of just 0.75 μg/cm². This is far lower than levels found in many rubber gloves on the market.

🔬 The study proposes a standardized test model to better assess allergen safety in protective gear.

🔗 Full article: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14817

hashtag#ContactDermatitis hashtag#OccupationalHealth hashtag#AllergyTesting hashtag#RubberAccelerators hashtag#Dermatology hashtag#GloveSafety hashtag#ChemicalExposure
... See MoreSee Less

🧤 How much is too much? Setting safety thresholds for rubber glove allergens. In a new study led by Christoffer Kursawe Larsen, researchers determined the threshold dose of TETD—a common rubber accelerator—that can trigger allergic contact dermatitis.

📌 Using patch testing and a glove-use simulation, they found an ED₁₀ of just 0.75 μg/cm². This is far lower than levels found in many rubber gloves on the market.

🔬 The study proposes a standardized test model to better assess allergen safety in protective gear.

🔗 Full article: https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14817

hashtag#ContactDermatitis hashtag#OccupationalHealth hashtag#AllergyTesting hashtag#RubberAccelerators hashtag#Dermatology hashtag#GloveSafety hashtag#ChemicalExposure
1 week ago

🖐️ New research reveals hidden pain in chronic hand eczema (CHE)
In a study led by Jeanette Halskou Haugaard, patients with chronic hand eczema used significantly more analgesics—including NSAIDs, opioids, and gabapentinoids—compared to the general Danish population.

📊 The burden was greatest in those with moderate-to-severe CHE, highlighting unmet needs in pain management for this common skin condition.

🔗 Full article: lnkd.in/d7afHXyX

hashtag#Dermatology hashtag#HandEczema hashtag#PainManagement hashtag#ChronicPain hashtag#PublicHealth hashtag#SkinDisorders
... See MoreSee Less

🖐️ New research reveals hidden pain in chronic hand eczema (CHE)
In a study led by Jeanette Halskou Haugaard, patients with chronic hand eczema used significantly more analgesics—including NSAIDs, opioids, and gabapentinoids—compared to the general Danish population.

📊 The burden was greatest in those with moderate-to-severe CHE, highlighting unmet needs in pain management for this common skin condition.

🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/d7afHXyX

hashtag#Dermatology hashtag#HandEczema hashtag#PainManagement hashtag#ChronicPain hashtag#PublicHealth hashtag#SkinDisorders
2 weeks ago

🧴 Can fragrance allergens drive chronic prurigo? A new case series says yes.

In a first-of-its-kind study, Juan Ruiz Sánchez and colleagues report on six patients with chronic prurigo (CP) linked to allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)—mainly triggered by textile dyes and fragrances.

📌 All patients improved after allergen avoidance, with some requiring dupilumab, pointing to a Th2-driven immune response.

📢 Patch testing is recommended in idiopathic CP or AD-associated cases.

🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14764

#dermatology #chronicprurigo #ContactDermatitis #AllergyResearch #TextileDyes #Fragrances #Dupilumab #SkinHealth
... See MoreSee Less

🧴 Can fragrance allergens drive chronic prurigo? A new case series says yes.

In a first-of-its-kind study, Juan Ruiz Sánchez and colleagues report on six patients with chronic prurigo (CP) linked to allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)—mainly triggered by textile dyes and fragrances.

📌 All patients improved after allergen avoidance, with some requiring dupilumab, pointing to a Th2-driven immune response.

📢 Patch testing is recommended in idiopathic CP or AD-associated cases.

🔗 Read more: https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14764

#Dermatology #ChronicPrurigo #ContactDermatitis #AllergyResearch #TextileDyes #Fragrances #Dupilumab #SkinHealth
2 weeks ago

📜 How well is EU legislation protecting us from skin sensitizers?

A comprehensive study by Mathias Krogh Pedersen et al., published in Contact Dermatitis, compares EU regulations on skin sensitizers and gathers expert opinions across sectors.

🔍 Key finding: ~40% of stakeholders believe current legislation is not sufficiently protective. Harmonization, data sharing, and non-animal testing are top priorities for improvement.

📢 As allergic contact dermatitis continues to impact millions, this study sheds light on gaps—and pathways forward—in chemical risk assessment.

🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14754

#dermatology #skinsensitization #PublicHealth #regulation #ContactDermatitis #chemicalsafety #euhealthpolicy
... See MoreSee Less

📜 How well is EU legislation protecting us from skin sensitizers?

A comprehensive study by Mathias Krogh Pedersen et al., published in Contact Dermatitis, compares EU regulations on skin sensitizers and gathers expert opinions across sectors.

🔍 Key finding: ~40% of stakeholders believe current legislation is not sufficiently protective. Harmonization, data sharing, and non-animal testing are top priorities for improvement.

📢 As allergic contact dermatitis continues to impact millions, this study sheds light on gaps—and pathways forward—in chemical risk assessment.

🔗 Read more: https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14754

#Dermatology #SkinSensitization #PublicHealth #Regulation #ContactDermatitis #ChemicalSafety #EUHealthPolicy
1 month ago

🎧 Severe Allergic Reactions from Everyday Tech?

A striking case series led by Marion Menanteau and colleagues, published in Contact Dermatitis, highlights severe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) linked to octylisothiazolinone (OIT) in over-ear headphones.

🧪 OIT—used as a biocide in leather—was found in high concentrations in ear pads, triggering strong allergic responses, including one case initially misdiagnosed as angioedema.

📢 This study raises urgent questions about regulation and labelling of non-cosmetic consumer products.

🔗 Read the full article: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14733

#dermatology #ContactDermatitis #ConsumerSafety #marionmenanteau #allergyawareness #headphones #PublicHealth #ProductLabeling
... See MoreSee Less

🎧 Severe Allergic Reactions from Everyday Tech?

A striking case series led by Marion Menanteau and colleagues, published in Contact Dermatitis, highlights severe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) linked to octylisothiazolinone (OIT) in over-ear headphones.

🧪 OIT—used as a biocide in leather—was found in high concentrations in ear pads, triggering strong allergic responses, including one case initially misdiagnosed as angioedema.

📢 This study raises urgent questions about regulation and labelling of non-cosmetic consumer products.

🔗 Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14733

#Dermatology #ContactDermatitis #ConsumerSafety #MarionMenanteau #AllergyAwareness #Headphones #PublicHealth #ProductLabeling
1 month ago

🧊 New study highlights hand eczema in the Arctic

A population-based study in Tasiilaq, East Greenland, found a 22.4% point prevalence of hand eczema among adults—comparable to Nordic countries. Led by Morten Bahrt Haulrig and team, this is the first clinical skin disease study of its kind in an Inuit population.

🔍 Most affected individuals were female, exposed to wet work, and reported chronic symptoms.

📄 Read it here: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14781

#dermatology #handeczema #greenland #PublicHealth #occupationalhealth #arcticmedicine
... See MoreSee Less

🧊 New study highlights hand eczema in the Arctic

A population-based study in Tasiilaq, East Greenland, found a 22.4% point prevalence of hand eczema among adults—comparable to Nordic countries. Led by Morten Bahrt Haulrig and team, this is the first clinical skin disease study of its kind in an Inuit population.

🔍 Most affected individuals were female, exposed to wet work, and reported chronic symptoms.

📄 Read it here: https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14781

#Dermatology #HandEczema #Greenland #PublicHealth #OccupationalHealth #ArcticMedicine
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