Page 16 - SC4Q-2019-

Continuing Medical Education
SAFE SKIN: Vigilance and Social Accountability

in Contact Dermatitis

By Drs. Charmaine Vanessa S. Chamberlin, Jay-V James G. Barit and Mae N. Ramirez-Quizon, FPDS

Facilitators from the Contact Dermatitis Subspecialty Core Group and participants during the patch test workshop proper
n the practice of dermatology, contact series for Philippine patch testing for
dermatitis is encountered on an almost “In the practice suspected allergic contact dermatitis to
Idaily basis. Despite its commonality, it topical products.
is actually a disease that requires careful of dermatology,
consideration and critical investigation. Prompting dermatologists beyond
As we see cases of contact dermatitis contact dermatitis is just diagnosis and management, the
from unregulated products, our role as encountered on an documenting and reporting of adverse
dermatologists grows from being a doctor, reactions to medications was emphasized
to being influencers and in the public health almost daily basis. through the lecture of Dr. Ma. Angela M.
landscape. Hence, as part of the Philippine Lavadia. Recently, PDS has launched a task
Dermatological Society’s Continuing Despite its commonality, force on skin safety and one of its projects
Medical Education (CME) series, the it is actually a disease was to advocate active reporting, among
University of the Philippines – Philippine PDS members, of side effects from topical
General Hospital, in partnership with the that requires careful products, especially unregistered ones. She
Contact Dermatitis and Environmental went through the currently reported data
Dermatology Subspecialty Core Group, consideration and to PDS, the relatively painless process of
conducted SAFE SKIN: Vigilance and Social critical investigation.” online reporting through the FDA website
Accountability in Contact Dermatitis. The and being vigilant as a characterstic
CME was held at the Dr. Enrique Garcia and responsibility that distinguishes
Auditorium of the Lung Center of the a PDS dermatologist. Everyone in the
Philippines on October 24, 2018. The revealed levels of mercury 6400 times PDS community is encouraged to report
sessions were moderated by Dr. Mae N. above the legal amount in our country. adverse reactions to medications to the
Ramirez-Quizon. FDA (https://ww2.fda.gov.ph/index.php/
Dr. Lonabel A. Encarnacion, Chief of adrreport-new) and to email a copy of this
Dr. Ma. Lorna F. Frez, Chief of Section, the Environmental Dermatology Unit of report to PDS through suspected_adverse_
opened the event on how it was going St. Luke’s Quezon City, elucidated more reactions@yahoo.com.
to be filled with learning and pearls for on contact dermatitis to mercury and
daily dermatological practice. A case thimerosal as well as tips on management Dr. Hanna Lucero-Orillaza, newly minted
presentation on allergic contact dermatitis and surveillance. As numerous personal from her fellowships in environmental
to an unregistered topical whitening care products, cosmetic products, dermatology in the US and advanced
product by Dr. Jay-V James G. Barit and traditional Chinese medications medical dermatology in Canada, gave
started the program, revealing mercury may contain mercury or thimerosal, a thorough discussion on the global
and thimerosal as the offending allergens. it is recommended that mercury and updates in contact dermatitis. Highlights
Analysis of the product in question thimerosal are added to the baseline
continued on page 19

UP-PGH Dermatology Consultants, Alumni and Residents Members of the Contact Dermatitis and Environmental Subspecialty Core Group
16