Welcome to our website
Are you in doubt about a diagnosis, the choice of an allergen or just curious?
Then ask your colleagues
…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.
Recommendations of the European
Society of Contact Dermatitis
many open access in:
Contact Dermatitis
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.
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)
The ESCD promotes interest in contact dermatitis and environmental & occupational skin diseases
or via email
secretary@escd.org
📅 The program for the ESCD Congress in Copenhagen 2026 (June 24–27) continues to evolve.
📥You can now download the overall content here: escd2026.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ESCD-2026-Programme.pdf
🛫 The 2028 ESCD Congress will take place in Zagreb, at the kind invitation of Suzana Ljubojević Hadžavdić.
🗓️ Provisional dates: 3–6 May 2028
📘 New (Free) Book: Monographs of Cosmetic Allergens
Anton de Groot has just released a comprehensive new e-book: Monographs of Cosmetic Allergens (May 2025).
This 278-page PDF updates and expands on his earlier work, covering 39 new and 74 updated non-fragrance allergens known to cause allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics. It also includes relevant findings from non-cosmetic sources (2017–2025).
📥 Download for free: www.antondegroot.com/downloads
Anton welcomes feedback, suggestions, and corrections!
#Dermatology #contactallergy #cosmeticallergens #allergiccontactdermatitis #skinhealth #AllergyResearch ... See MoreSee Less
🧪 New preservative allergy on the rise: Is BIT the next MI?
In a 10-year Danish study, Rebekka Søgaard and colleagues report a sharp increase in contact allergy to benzisothiazolinone (BIT)—from ≤0.3% in 2014 to 5.0% in 2023.
📉 Meanwhile, allergy to methylisothiazolinone (MI) and MCI/MI declined, thanks to EU regulations.
📈 BIT—used in paints, detergents, and industrial products—remains unregulated in cosmetics but is becoming a major emerging allergen.
⚠️ Urgent need for better regulation and labelling of BIT in non-cosmetic products to prevent a new wave of sensitization.
🔗 Read the study: doi.org/10.1111/cod.14818
#ContactDermatitis #preservativeallergy #bit #Dermatology #occupationalhealth #Regulation #AllergyResearch #skinsafety ... See MoreSee Less
Trends in Contact Allergy to Preservatives From 2014 to 2023: Benzisothiazolinone on the Rise
doi.org
Skin sensitising preservatives are extensively used in consumer and industrial products, leading to recurrent outbreaks of contact allergy. This study explores temporal trends in contact allergy to p....🎨 “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
🧴 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
💅 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
🧤 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
🖐️ 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
🧴 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
📜 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