European Society of Contact Dermatitis Guideline for Diagnostic Patch Testing—Recommendations on Best Practice (Update 2026)

Uter W, Aerts O, Agner T, Brans R, Bruze M, Cannavó A, Crépy MN, Giménez-Arnau AM, Gonçalo M, Goossens A, John SM, Lidén C, Hadžavdić SL, Mahler V, Matura M, Özkaya E, Pesonen M, Raison-Peyron N, Rustemeyer T, Spiewak R, Stingeni L, White IR, Wilkinson SM, Johansen JD (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

DOI: 10.1111/cod.70195

Abstract

The present guideline updates the initial ESCD patch testing guideline, summarizing all aspects of patch testing for the diagnosis of contact allergy in patients suspected of suffering, or having been suffering, from allergic contact dermatitis or other delayed-type hypersensitivity skin and mucosal conditions. Sections with brief descriptions and discussions of different pertinent topics are followed by highlighted short practical recommendations, which have been consensualized in a Delphi process. Topics comprise, after an introduction with important definitions, materials, technique, modifications of epicutaneous testing, individual factors influencing the patch test outcome or necessitating special considerations, children, patients with occupational contact dermatitis and drug eruptions as special groups, patch testing of materials brought in by the patient, adverse effects of patch testing and the final evaluation and patient counselling based on this judgement. Finally, short reference is made to aspects of (continuing) medical education and to electronic collection of data for epidemiological surveillance.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven Belgium (BE) Zagreb University Hospital Centre / Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb (KBC) Croatia (HR) Paul Ehrlich Institute / Paul-Ehrlich-Institut – Bundesinstitut für Impfstoffe und biomedizinische Arzneimittel (PEI) Germany (DE) University Hospital of Umeå / Norrlands universitetssjukhus (NUS) Sweden (SE) Istanbul University / İstanbul Üniversitesi Turkey (TR) Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) / Työterveyslaitos (TTL) Finland (FI) Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier (CHU/CHRU MTP) France (FR) Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC) / Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra Netherlands (NL) Jagiellonian University / Uniwersytet Jagielloński (UJ) Poland (PL) Università degli Studi di Perugia Italy (IT) Gentofte Hospital Denmark (DK) Bispebjerg Hospital Denmark (DK) Universität Osnabrück Germany (DE) Lund University / Lunds universitet Sweden (SE) Karolinska Institute Sweden (SE) Guy's Hospital United Kingdom (GB) Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust United Kingdom (GB) Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín Argentina (AR) Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) France (FR) Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) Spain (ES) Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC) Portugal (PT) Hospital Network Antwerp / Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen (ZNA) Belgium (BE)

How to cite

APA:

Uter, W., Aerts, O., Agner, T., Brans, R., Bruze, M., Cannavó, A.,... Johansen, J.D. (2026). European Society of Contact Dermatitis Guideline for Diagnostic Patch Testing—Recommendations on Best Practice (Update 2026). Contact Dermatitis. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.70195

MLA:

Uter, Wolfgang, et al. "European Society of Contact Dermatitis Guideline for Diagnostic Patch Testing—Recommendations on Best Practice (Update 2026)." Contact Dermatitis (2026).

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