Eczema overlooked in Asian Australian kids
Chronic and refractory eczema is more common in children of Asian and other ethnicities of darker skin, suggesting the need for targeted interventions, according to WA clinicians
A retrospective of 91 children under 16 who presented to the Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) outpatient clinic on multiple occasions for their eczema found that 46% were Caucasian, 38% Asian, 7% Black African, 1% Hispanic, 2% Italian or mixed race, 3% unknown and 0% Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander.
Two thirds had a personal history of other allergic disease in addition to their eczema, and 64% had a history of secondary skin infection, the researchers reported at the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), annual meeting recently.
“Evidence suggests darker skin pigment can be challenging to assess and eczema severity is often under-recognised, leading to more severe and persistent symptoms, more sleep disturbance and poorer overall health,” they noted.
“This data has provided much needed evidence to target our interventions for a multi-ethnic population, ensuring we provide culturally appropriate services.”
Insulin pumps may cause contact dermatitis
Cases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by adhesives in insulin pumps are proving a challenge for clinicians and patients.
Dermatologists in Sweden have reported three cases of suspected ACD in users of the Omnipod insulin pump, which they say were likely caused by isobornyl acrylate (IBOA).
They noted the time between first use of Omnipod and first symptoms of red eczematous patches was at least six months, while subsequent exposures on non-damaged skin resulted in dermatitis after only one day – strongly suggestive of sensitisation and elicitation of ACD.
They advised patch testing with dipropylene glycol diacrylate (DPGDA) for suspected ACD, but said diagnosis and management was a challenge as the substances used in pumps changed over time.
“A question should be raised as to whether these low molecular weight acrylates should be used at all in devices constantly worn on the skin,” they wrote in the British Journal of Dermatology
ACD hosting International Congress of Dermatology this week
The Australasian College of Dermatologists is hosting the 13th International Congress of Dermatology this weekend (10-13 November 2021) with a virtual program that includes presentation by local and international experts.
A rolling program will see the virtual ICD 2021 presentations take place around the clock, to match with northern hemisphere participants, but the content will also be available On Demand to registered participants, according to organisers
“At ICD 2021 you can expect to be exposed to the latest industry research, findings in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails, as well as recent innovations and technological advances in cosmetic dermatology, laser therapy, injectables and skin health,” they say.
Local organisers include dermatologists Professor Dedee Murrell, Professor Rod Sinclair and Professor Greg Goodman.