Message from the President

Dear ACDS Member:

Happy summer and I hope everyone is staying cool, is spending time with loved ones, and is taking a much-needed breather after a busy year.

The ACDS had a good showing at the European Society of Contact Dermatitis meeting in Copenhagen in June with many of our members giving talks and chairing sessions. Many of us had the wonderful opportunity to tour both the amazing manufacturing facilities of Dormer and SmartPractice in Sweden and Denmark, respectively. Our allergens are in good hands. It was a fantastic multi-day meeting if you have never been. The next meeting will be in Zagreb, Croatia in 2028. Stay tuned for ACDS plans at that conference.
 

FDA Update

The manuscript detailing the discussion during the FDA workshop in late 2025 has been accepted by Dermatitis and should be available on PubMed and in your mailboxes shortly. We are still awaiting guidance from the FDA on next steps, but we are closely working with the AAD, AAAAI, and ACAAI to offer our input and perspectives on the importance of continued patch testing allergen access in the United States.
 

ACDS Core Series Update*

The American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) first created a Core Allergen Panel in 2011 consisting of 80 allergens. The proposed ACDS series contained many of the same allergens found in other standard series and was designed to allow patch testers to supplement the TRUE Test with clinically relevant allergens arranged in panels of decreasing yield, for a total of 80 core allergens. Because rates of contact allergy and allergen exposures change over time due to industry reformulations and evolving regulations, the ACDS Core Allergen Panel has been updated periodically. Revisions were made in 2017 and again in 2020, when the panel was expanded to include 90 allergens.

The ACDS Board used the Delphi technique to reach consensus on the new 2026 ACDS Core Allergen Panel. The 2026 update includes the addition of seven new haptens, revised testing concentrations for selected allergens, and the removal of seven haptens to maintain a total of 90 allergens in the core series. Also new for 2026 is a reorganization of the panels so that the first 40 allergens correspond to those recommended for the pediatric standard series. Additionally, aqueous allergens have been grouped with volatile allergens on Panels II, III, and VI to emphasize that these allergens should not be prepared in advance and instead should be placed on the day of testing.

Look for the full publication, which will be submitted to Dermatitis soon, for additional details about these updates.

*Insert submitted by Cory Dunnick, MD
 

Upcoming ACDS Annual Meeting

Our next meeting will be the ACDS 38th Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 18^th in San Francisco coinciding with the AAD. More details will be forthcoming in the coming months, and we hope to see you all there.
 

ACDS at the World Congress of Dermatology

The World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) will take place from June 21-26, 2027 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The ACDS will host a half-day session on June 21st from 1:30-5:30pm. Agenda is forthcoming. If you are planning to attend the WCD, we hope to see you at the ACDS session.
 

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and if you have member news or information you would like highlighted in a future ACDS Newsletter, please email it to info@contactderm.org.

Sincerely,

JiaDe (Jeff) Yu, MD, MS
ACDS President

American Contact Dermatitis Society
555 E. Wells Street, Suite 1100 | Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 918-9805 | Fax: (414) 276-3349 | Email: info@contactderm.org
www.contactderm.org

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CAMP Update

CAMP reached a milestone in June when it reached 100,000 registered users! Now at over 105K, this number continues to grow as we welcome new and returning (CAMP 1.0) users to the system daily. CAMP users check into their safe lists about 4 times a month, and we see the heaviest traffic on the app and website Friday through Monday. The CAMP team assists users with things like account registration/access, technical support, product inquiries, and offers guidance on how to find products on a safe list.

Now on app version 3.4, the team continues to make changes to CAMP in both big and small ways that contribute to its overall improvement:

• The Education Committee is hard at work developing the next round of Allergen Narratives. Stay tuned for when those will become available in both English and Spanish.
• Accessibility modifications were recently made across the CAMP system both internally and on the user-end to improve visibility, including an adjusted color scheme with higher contrast.
• Expanding and maintaining the product listing in CAMP remains a high priority and updates are made regularly to the system. Many products are available to purchase through the Amazon Affiliate program and more are activated in the system daily.

We listen to all feedback we receive and use it to direct future improvements made to CAMP. Reach out to our team if you have any questions about CAMP or have ideas about how we can make it better! 

Please read below for additional news about CAMP, including a tip for what to do when you’ve identified new allergens after a late read:

Happy CAMPers

We hear from many CAMP users who contact us for technical support about how important the app is to them and the impact it’s had on their lives. We would love to have those positive experiences reflected more in the app ratings for iOS and Android. Please consider making this “Review CAMP” flyer available to your patients. It contains a convenient QR code that scans directly to the app listing where they can leave their review – a review only takes about 30 seconds to complete!

Access “Review CAMP” Flyer

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Sponsorships Available

CAMP sponsorships support the ongoing success of CAMP and ensure its continued growth in the future. Help CAMP grow by sharing the Sponsorship Prospectus within your professional network. There are several packages currently available, and we are always happy to build a customized solution for interested sponsors.

Access the Sponsorship Prospectus

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Research with CAMP

As a reminder, we are accepting data requests for the new CAMP Research Program. This exciting program was developed by the ACDS as part of its commitment to advancing the care and understanding of dermatitis and allergy and is intended to be a formal platform for accessing CAMP data for approved research projects. 

All research projects involving CAMP data must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate committee in advance. Access to and use of the platform is limited to personal, educational, and approved research purposes only. Any use of CAMP data for research activities requires prior review and explicit authorization from the Society. CAMP and ACDS logos may not be used or reproduced without prior written consent from the Society.

CAMP Terms and Conditions

Please click below to learn more about project eligibility and how to submit a data request.

 Learn More

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New Allergens with a Late Read? No Problem!

If you identify new allergens after you have already generated a safe list for your patient, do not create a new safe list. CAMP is programmed so that the settings associated with a set of codes can be easily changed through the Update feature. It is not necessary to issue new codes each time you need to make changes to a patient’s safe list. 

Click below to watch this quick video about how to update allergen search codes: 

Visit the Learning Center in your ACDS member account for more information about CAMP and for helpful resources on how the CAMP system works:

Learning Center

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Questions? Contact the CAMP team at:
campinfo@contactderm.org 
(414) 918-9805 

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From the House of Delegates at AMA 2026 Annual Meeting

The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD) met in Chicago from June 5 through June 10 for the 2026 Annual Meeting. ACDS delegates Bruce A Brod, MD, MHCI and James S. Taylor, MD were both active. Dr. Taylor engaged with the AI Caucus on behalf of the AAD Dermatology Section Council (DSC), and Dr. Brod led policy discussions in Reference Committee A. Below is a summary of what passed that matters most to ACDS members.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Several AI related items came before the House this year. Resolution 003 was adopted and directs the AMA to educate physicians on evidence-based AI tools that support team-based care, with an emphasis that AI should always be Augmented Intelligence, i.e., keeping physicians in the decision-making oversight role. Resolution 238 was adopted in lieu of the original language, combined with two similar resolutions, and sets requirements for any AI tool used in an autonomous or semi-autonomous capacity in healthcare. Those tools must operate under the direction of the treating physician, respect continuity of care, and be backed by transparent, auditable safety data, and the AMA will study how licensure and regulation should evolve from here. Board of Trustees Report 28 was adopted as amended and addresses accountability for AI used in prior authorization. It calls for AI driven coverage decisions to be grounded in real clinical guidelines, subject to physician appeal, and reviewed by a same specialty physician with no financial incentive to deny care, along with public reporting requirements when AI is used in these decisions.

During the AI discussions a recent Utah drug prescribing program was highlighted, in which patients talk with an AI chatbot to request prescription refills. This program raises basic questions on state medical licensing exemptions, state vs federal regulation of AI, and AI accountability, including the fact that AI should not bypass long-standing legal guardrails governing medical products (Aaron DG and Robertson C: JAMA 2026; 335;(18):1567-1568 Viewpoint: AI in Medicine).
 

Resolution on Commoditization of Medicine

Resolution 712, addressing the commoditization of medicine through recognition of the full scope of physician work, was submitted by the DSC with AAD as prime sponsor and ACDS as one of the cosponsors. The resolution states that medicine is not a commoditized service and asks that health systems, employers, and payors recognize physician work beyond what is captured by traditional metrics alone. It passed with unanimous support and no opposition.
 

Scalp Cooling Coverage

Two companion resolutions asked the AMA to support insurance coverage for scalp cooling therapy to prevent chemotherapy induced hair loss. The original language was broader than the evidence supports, so the DSC worked on the amendment. The adopted policy ties coverage to scalp cooling backed by clinical evidence, calls on specialty societies to develop patient selection guidance, and supports equitable access. The DSC was heavily involved in shaping the final language that was adopted.
 

Physician Input on CMMI Models

Resolution 108 was adopted as amended, and it requires that practicing physicians nominated by their specialty societies have a real seat at the table before new Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation models are approved for testing. Dermatology and other specialties have felt the effects of payment models built without our input, so this one matters.
 

Kratom Regulation and Cutaneous Effects

Two resolutions called for stronger regulation of concentrated kratom products, particularly 7 hydroxymitragynine. The DSC was instrumental in making sure the final policy specifically references the cutaneous adverse effects associated with kratom use, not just the general safety concerns. The adopted language supports FDA oversight, bans child appealing marketing, and calls for public education campaigns that include skin related risks.
 

A Scope of Practice Win

Resolution 203 passed as amended under the title Support for Evaluation of Outcomes Associated with Non-Physician Practitioner Practice. It commits the AMA to fund independent, peer reviewed research comparing patient outcomes between autonomous non physician practitioners and physician led care. The DSC supported this amendment, and it gives organized medicine data to point to in future scope of practice fights.
 

Updating the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment

Alternate Resolution 608 was adopted to re-institute the AMA Guides Editorial Panel to its original configuration and operating status to continue its work of updating a number of chapters including Skin in the 6th edition 2025. This action is designed to continue scientific integrity, consistency, and usability. Dr Taylor testified in favor of this at Reference Committee F and the HOD. The AMA Guides are considered the gold standard for defining and evaluating permanent impairment and disability and have been adopted by multiple state jurisdictions.
 

A Few Others Worth Noting

Resolution 416, on the clinical laboratory workforce shortage, was adopted and supports training and recruitment efforts for lab professionals who are essential partners in patient care. Resolution 702, on physicians who do not practice in hospital settings, was adopted as amended and protects against insurers using hospital privileges as leverage against out of network physicians.

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Thank you to everyone who represented ACDS in Chicago. If you have questions about any of these items or want to get involved in AMA advocacy, reach out to the ACDS AMA & Health Policy Committee.
 

Submitted by:
Bruce A. Brod, MD, FAAD
Alex Flamm, MD, FAAD
James S. Taylor, MD, FAAD 

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Dermatitis Impact Factor

Every year, late in the month of June, Clarivate analytics provides the editorial office of Dermatitis with critical information related to our Journal Impact Factor and journal ranking among dermatology journals. The Journal Impact Factor represents the number of citations (the "numerator" of this critical fraction) that occurred during the calendar year 2025 and reported in 2026 for "citable articles" (substantive, peer- reviewed studies and review articles, the denominator of this critical fraction) that were published during the preceding two-year period (calendar years 2023 and 2024). Articles that are not counted in the denominator of our Journal Impact Factor include Editorials, Letters to the Editor, Pearls & Zebras, and Meeting Abstracts. However, citations of these latter categories of publications can be counted in the "numerator" of the calculation of the Journal Impact Factor and thus count in a positive way for augmenting the Journal Impact Factor.

Our Journal Impact Factor for 2026 was 3.4, which is virtually identical to the prior year’s Journal Impact factor of 3.5. This result was obtained by the number of citations in the calendar year 2025 which was 510, with the total number of citable articles at 150 (510/250 = 3.4, the latest Journal Impact Factor). Journal Impact Factors can be labile, but ours has been stable over the last 2 cycles. The editorial office has a listing of journal articles that are highly cited, and conversely, those articles that have not been cited during the 2023- and 2024- time frame. Our five-year Journal Impact factor is 3.7.

The ranking of Dermatology journals based on impact factor is also provided. With our Journal Impact Factor of 3.4, Dermatitis was ranked 25^th among 99 Dermatology Journals.

The editorial office of Dermatitis is aware of the decline in our Journal Impact Factor and associated ranking among Dermatology Journals. The reasons for the decline in our Journal Impact Factor are multi-factorial and have been discussed at our Editorial Advisory Board Meetings and at the business meeting of the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Measures to enhance our Journal Impact Factor and scientific ranking among Dermatology journals are being implemented, but take time to "move the needle" in a positive direction.

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Second Call for submissions: Dermatitis Logo

Dermatitis is calling for submissions for creating a unique Logo for our journal, which is different and distinct from the American Contact Dermatitis Society Logo. The editorial board can potentially enlist the services of a professional design team, but we determined that it is preferable that a logo design be created by a member of the ACDS, who understands its mission and that of the journal.

Our goal is to develop a "Brand Image" for Dermatitis to be used on the journal cover, website and Scholar One submission platform, social media, and journal communications. We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Here are our guidelines for creating a Dermatitis Logo:

1. The logo can be hand drawn or a software program can be utilized.
2. Generative AI is permitted to create a logo.
3. The Logo can be Black & White or Color.
4. The final logo will be used on the static cover of Dermatitis in 2027.
5. Submission deadline September 1, 2026.
6. The Editorial office, along with the new section editor for journal artwork, Dr. Ponciano Cruz, will select the top candidates.
7. The ACDS membership will vote to select the final Logo for the journal.
8. Submit candidate images to the Editorial Office of Dermatitis (ju.dermatitis@outlook.com). The submissions can be in the form of a JPEG, PICT or PDF format.
9. Contact the journal if there are questions about this initiative.

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Second Call for Submissions: Chronic Hand Eczema (Hand Dermatitis)

Submit your study, review, case report, letter, Pearls & Zebras, Images related to Chronic Hand Eczema by Jan 1, 2027

Coordinating Editor: Anthony Gaspari, MD

The editor of Dermatitis is excited to bring to its readership a state-of-the art comprehensive collection of reviews, studies, letters and Pearls and Zebras on Chronic Hand Eczema and its mechanisms. We especially encourage submissions of original studies in this topic although other types of manuscripts will be considered.

Areas of interest include: clinical trials, treatment modalities, epidemiology/population studies, health care disparities, skin of color, allergy/patch testing, basic science studies, and immunobiology as it related to chronic hand eczema. Case series or case reports will also be considered.

For further questions, please contact the Editor at: aagaspari@gmail.com, Professor, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.
 

Submitted by:
Anthony Gaspari, MD
Dermatitis Editor-in-Chief

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Dermatitis Manuscript Review Program

The American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) is excited to announce the Dermatitis Manuscript Review Program. This one-year mentorship program is designed to develop the next generation of peer reviewers by providing hands-on experience, individualized guidance from experienced reviewers, and training in critical appraisal and editorial review. Participants will gain the skills and confidence needed to contribute to the peer review process while supporting the continued excellence of Dermatitis.

Purpose

Develop the next generation of skilled peer reviewers through one year of structured mentorship with experienced Dermatitis reviewers.

Program Duration

September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027

Responsibilities

Participants will:

• Work closely with an assigned mentor to complete manuscript reviews for Dermatitis
• Be available to communicate with their mentor by email and phone throughout the program
• Complete a program evaluation at the end of the one-year mentorship
• Commit to serving as a reviewer for Dermatitis for at least two years following program completion

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be an AAD or ACDS member in good standing
• Be a dermatology resident, research fellow, or junior faculty member in good standing
• Demonstrate an interest in developing peer review, critical appraisal, and editorial skills

Application Materials

• One letter of recommendation from a department chair, residency program director, or dermatology mentor
• Executive curriculum vitae (maximum of three pages)

Apply Today

The program will be overseen by Dr. Alison Ehrlich, Section Editor for Dermatitis

Submit your interest in the program HERE
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until capacity is reached.

Please contact info@contactderm.org with any questions.

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The American Contact Dermatitis Society is committed to advancing the care and understanding of dermatology and allergy through the promotion of education, research and advocacy. As part of this initiative, ACDS offers the following educational awards to help encourage research in these areas:
 

Clinical Research Award

The American Contact Dermatitis Society offers awards for the purpose of relevant clinical studies directed toward the subject of contact dermatitis. Studies that focus on clinical problems or have applications to clinical problems will receive preferential consideration.

Click here to see a list of past Clinical Research Award recipients.
 

Mentoring Award

ACDS Mentoring Awards are granted for the purpose of assisting young dermatologists including dermatology residents, dermatology fellows, or dermatologist up to 5 years out of residency to become leaders/experts in the field of contact dermatitis by acquiring additional academic skills which may not be available at their training institutions.

Click here to see a list of past Mentoring Award recipients.
 

Mid-Career Award

The ACDS Mid-Career Development Award provides financial support for ACDS members to defray the cost of acquiring specific skills and knowledge to enhance their professional development in some aspect of contact dermatitis and/or occupational dermatology.

Click here to see a list of past Mid-Career Award recipients.
 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Healthcare Disparities Award

The ACDS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Healthcare Disparities Award provides financial support for studies dedicated to the study of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and healthcare disparities within dermatitis.

Click here to see a list of past Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Healthcare Disparities Award recipients.
 

Outcomes Research Award

The ACDS Outcomes Research Award provides financial support for study of outcomes of dermatitis evaluation and management.

Click here to see a list of past Outcomes Research Award recipients.

For more information on any of these opportunities,
please visit our website here.

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ACDS 2026 Spring Award Winners

Clinical Research Award

• Victoria Asuquo
  Quantification of Sulfite Concentrations in Common Beverages and Evaluation of Sulfite-Reducing Drops Using LC-MS/MS
   
• Hani Abi
  Formaldehyde Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Evaluation of Paper-Based Surgical and N95 Masks as a Potential Exposure Source?
   
• Mihir Shah
  Prescribing Trajectories of Advanced Atopic Dermatitis Therapies Before and After Patch Testing: A Population-Based Analysis
   
• Divya Alley
  Evaluating Para-phenylenediamine in Jagua Products: A Growing Concern for U.S. Consumers
   
• Karishma Daftary
  Presence of Acrylic Monomers in Standard Nail Polishes
   
• Vy Pham
  Detection and Analysis of Methyldibromoglutaronitrile in Hygiene Paper Products by Gas Chromotography and Mass Spectrometry
   
• Natalie Smale
  Characterizing IL-36 Expression in Metal and Fragrance Contact Allergy
   

Mentoring Award

• Forrest Roberson, MD
  Mentored by:
  • JiaDe (Jeff) Yu, MD
     
• Akriti Agrawal, MD
  Mentored by:
  • Sara Hylwa, MD
  • Anne Neeley, MD
  • Katherine Lee, MD
  • Solveig Ophaug, MD
     
• Fateme Rajabi, MD
  Mentored by:
  • Golara Honari, MD
     

Congratulations to all award recipients!

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American Contact Dermatitis Society^®
555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100 | Milwaukee, WI 53202
P: (414) 918-9805 | F: (414) 276-3349 | info@contactderm.org

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