I see that Catriona has already answered this. I have pulled out all the literature myself and these are my thoughts. However, in view of Catriona’s reply, I presume it would probably be best to just go straight to my immunology colleagues and see if they can desensitise him? I would be interested in seeing the response from your pharmacy team…[Read more]

Dear Natalie
Thank you for taking time to reply to a novice in patch testing like myself . much appreciated

We are on a way to introduce BSCA baseline series but we have encountered a problem in finding supply for few allergens such
any thoughts from the members will be appreciated

I am unable to find:

PTBP RESIN 1%

MCI/MI 0.02%

Or…[Read more]

We asked this question a few months ago and our medicines information team gave us a comprehensive reply with citations, which I am happy to post here if helpful. The main point was: in summary, the only treatments for vitamin B12 deficiency contain cobalt as part of the cobalamin component. Treatment options for individuals with a vitamin B12…[Read more]

Hi Vesna,
I think the majority of units use the BSCA baseline series for children without any issues. Some have a modified ‘paediatric’ series to make the number of allergens smaller and remove those allergens less likely to be positive in children.
Re TRUE tests I think the false negative rate you have quoted speaks volumes and should be enough…[Read more]

The description is identical to an outbreak we reported many years ago found to be due to epoxy resin. The bag manufacturers categorically denied the presence of epoxy resin in the bags until we demonstrated it. They were highly apologetic subsequently. As standard series is negative here, then another cause will need to sought. I don’t know…[Read more]

I have recently seen a patient with exactly this problem (last week). He gets terrible blistering cheilitis. He had a 3+ reaction to cobalt. He said that in the past he’s reacted to vitamin tablets. Another patient in the same clinic on B12 replacement had a 1+ reaction and is fine. I am going to do a literature search when I get a chance, so I a…[Read more]

If strong suspicion of cell mediated allergy too, and patch testing required, I would suggest patient uses antihistamines preceding the test and potentially for a period afterwards. . Stress is certainly a strong trigger, a small dose of diazepam bd ( 1mg) is often used in managing MCAS….so using it pre-patch testing may also have some value.

Good morning
Very interesting .
Would be then indicated to avoid patch testing in patients with MCAS
In this little girl was it triggered by the chemicals in the patch test series or by the stress

Good Morning
I would be grateful to attend the virtual component of this meeting

Good Day,

I would like to attend the virtual component of this meeting, and will communicate with Joy Hayes.

Yours respectfuly,

Dr N Hallai

Thank you, Christine. I will look into it. Thanks

Since disperse orange 3 (DO3) degrades chemically into two molecules of PPD, reactions to DO3 are really the same as reactions to PPD. In my screening series I have been using both disperse blue mix 106/124 and the mix without DO3 (DC348NA- [textile dye mix B] from SmartPractice, recently released as Textile dye mix II Mx-32 by Chemotechnique…[Read more]

Hi,
It may be worth considering MCAS (see my previous lecture on this at last BSCA conference in May 2021….summary below). If more than 2 systems are involved it may be a possibility. The coeliac disease and recurrent unspecific urticaria and angioedema is suggestive of taking a more detailed history of cardiac, GI, respiratory, neurological,…[Read more]

You can see your reply in the BSCA forum again. An update bug caused the text to be white in the reply box, making it appear invisible.

Apologies to all those who tried to reply over the weekend. Please do so now.

Best
John