News

Medicament Battery Ammended

The BCDS Medicament battery has been ammended to replace the Polymyxin 5% which is no longer available from Chemotechnique. The new preparation included is polymyxin 3% supplied from Trolab.

Database Update
The long awaited database update is now available. The new version, suitable for users of Access 2000 and later, provides complete flexibility allowing users to devise and alter their own allergen batteries and vary allergen concentrations and suppliers. Reports can be procuced for individual patients and for complete datasets. The software is easy to use but for the less computer literate there is an illustrated users guide. To offset the cost of developing the new database it is being made available for the modest fee of £50, naturally, this does not come with any ongoing software support. Members wanting to purchase the new database should contact Barry Statham.

Meetings in 2008
Members are reminded of the following meetings in 2008.
The 9th ESCD Congress will be held in Estoril (Portugal) between 28th and 31st May. Details available on http://www.escd2008.com/1024x768/index.htm

The bi-annual BCDS Update meeting will be held in Bristol on September 4th 2008. This popular course provides a practical update for doctors and nurses working in the specialty. Details are now available on the meetings section of this website.

The BCDS annual scientific meeting will be held in Liverpool on Tuesday 1st July.

DOPS in Contact Dermatitis
The committee have developed and trialled an assessment format for SPRs in contact dermatitis. This is available for downloading from this link.

Joint Replacement and Patch Testing
Several BCDS members have requested advice on the advisability of patch testing for patients due to undergo joint replacement surgery. Prof Gawkrodger has published a review of this topic that is made available with permission of the British Journal of Dermatology, to view the article (pdf format) follow this link. 

Page modified November 2008