Therapeutic and Diagnostic Pearls in Contact Dermatitis

Selma Delafeld's talk on contact dermatitis covers essential therapeutic and diagnostic insights. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing allergic contact dermatitis in various patient scenarios, particularly in those with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and patients on immunosuppressants. Delafeld stresses the need for patch testing in cases where standard treatments fail, noting that common allergens often go undetected in standard trays. She provides guidelines for when to hold medications like topical steroids and immunosuppressants before testing, as well as insights into allergen education, particularly regarding misleading product labels such as 'hypoallergenic' and 'natural.' The discussion includes patterns of allergic contact dermatitis, using cases to illustrate how to identify causes and appropriate management strategies. Delafeld specifically highlights allergic reactions to diabetic devices, such as glucose sensors, mentioning that delays in reaction can occur long after product initiation. She encourages clinicians to utilize resources like the ACDS Camp app for patient education and management, and concludes by promoting further learning opportunities in patch testing within the AED Learning Center.