Skin allergy meeting – October 9, 2022, conference report

Skin Allergy Research Society is an organization focused to promote evidence-based research in the field of skin allergy mainly related to urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. It has been actively conducting and organizing various online and offline scientific activities on these topics along with an Annual Conference.

This year the 9^th Annual Conference of Skin Allergy Research Society was conducted on October 9, 2022, at Hotel Novotel, Mumbai in collaboration with Maharashtra Branch of Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists. This conference was the first physical meeting after 2 years gap due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Speakers travelled from all parts of the India and including internationally renowned Allergologist – Dr. Luis Felipe Ensina from Brazil.

On October 1, an online quiz on “Skin Allergy” was conducted for postgraduate students of the dermatology. Students from all over India participated in this quiz. Dr. Anupam Das and Dr. Anant Patil coordinated the planning and execution of the quiz under the guidance of Dr. Kiran Godse, President, Skin Allergy Research Society. Dr. Vignesh Narayan R. from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh received the first prize. Second and third prize was awarded to Dr. Yashika Doshi from BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad and Dr. Benazir Hakim from Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata, respectively.

The meeting on October 9 started with the oral award paper presentations from the postgraduate students of dermatology. Dr. Anant Patil and Dr. Nidhi Sharma evaluated the award presentations. Two winners were selected based on the evaluation of the oral presentation, content, and response to questions. Dr. Sushil Kumar Singh from Calcutta Medical College, Kolkata was awarded the first prize for the oral presentation. Dr. Meghana Singh from Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Navi Mumbai received the second prize.

Overall meeting was divided into three major sessions, that is, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. Each of these sessions had talks and panel discussion. After the registration of delegates, the meeting started with the first session on urticaria. In this session, International Speaker, Dr. Luis delivered a talk on management of urticaria. In his presentation, he covered definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria. He also elaborated the process of international guideline and elaborated on the previous versions of guideline and current guideline. Stepwise algorithm of urticaria management was discussed in detail with focus on pharmacological management with antihistamines and omalizumab. He also discussed about the evidence on difference in the first-generation and second-generation antihistamines and reason for recommendation of second-generation non-sedating antihistamines as the first line for the treatment of chronic urticaria. Panel discussion with experts including Dr. Luis, Dr. Kiran Godse, Dr. Mukesh Girdhar, Dr. Sushil Tahiliani and Dr. Anant Patil followed after the talk. Dr. Nidhi Sharma moderated the panel discussion. Panelist discussed different topics including diagnosis, basic and other related investigations in Indian setting, role of different drugs in the management of urticaria, updosing of second-generation antihistamines, management of urticaria in special population, for example, pregnancy and children, evidence on omalizumab, and need for regular versus on demand treatment in chronic urticaria.

Second session of the meeting was on atopic dermatitis. This session included two presentations from Indian experts and one panel discussion. In the first presentation, Dr. Murlidhar Rajagopalan presented on “Recent updates on pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.” In his talk, Dr. Rajagopalan covered challenges in the management of atopic dermatitis and explained the pathogenesis in detail. Clinical relevance of pathogenesis in the management was also covered in his presentation. In the second presentation, Dr. Sandipan Dhar spoke on “Atopic dermatitis in India – How do I manage?” In his talk, he explained his journey and vast experience related to the management of atopic dermatitis. He shared different cases of atopic in his clinical practice and their management. Dr. Dhar also shared his experience with immunosuppressant and biologic medicines in the management of atopic dermatitis. He also stressed about the rationale use of topical steroids and adverse events associated with misuse of topical corticosteroids in children with atopic dermatitis. Evidence and experience of using dupilumab in atopic dermatitis was also discussed by him. Dr. Abhishek De moderated a session atopic dermatitis management, in which various interesting clinical scenarios were discussed, along with basics to recent advances in diagnosis and management. The panelists for this session were Dr. Sandipan Dhar, Dr. Murlidhar Rajagopalan, Dr. Bela Shah, and Dr. Aarti Sarda.

The last session of the conference was on contact dermatitis. This session included one presentation and one panel discussion. Dr. Satish Pai delivered a talk on “Tips and tricks of Patch Testing” in Indian Context. His presentation focused on the indications for patch testing, procedure, and reading of the patch testing. Dr. Harsh Talhiani moderated a lively session with practical management of various common scenarios in contact dermatitis. Panelists for this session included Dr. Sathish Pai, Dr. Vijay Zawar, Dr. Vikrant Saoji, and Dr. Prabhakar Sangoli.

Winners of the quiz and oral presentation were awarded certificates. Valedictory and vote of thanks were given by Dr. Anant Patil. Around 200 delegates attended the meeting physically and about 200 delegates from all over India attended it through online platform. The meeting received 2 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credit points from MMC (Maharashtra Medical Council).