Dear Junior Members,

The Skin Annual Meeting (SAM) was a collaborative effort between EAACI and the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD), counting with Charlotte Mortz, Thomas Rustemeyer, Lars Poulsen and Barbara Ballmer-Weber as its organizers. It took place virtually on March 12-13 and had 570 participants. The digital platform was designed for the meeting to be interactive and to promote discussion between speakers and participants.

We had the opportunity to hear the latest scientific findings regarding skin diseases, particularly on atopic dermatitis (AD) with Tio Biedermann, Mette Deleuran and Thomas Rustemeyer; allergic contact dermatitis (CD) with Jeanne Duus Johansen, Wolfgang Uter and An Goossens; and mast cell diseases with Martin Metz, Clive Grattan and Sigurd Broesby-Olsen as well as the interaction between drug allergy, food allergy and anaphylaxis in skin diseases with Werner Pichler, Knut Brockow, Maja Mockenhaupt, Carsten Bindslev-Jensen, Frank Siebenhaar, Margitta Worm, Helen Brough, Charlotte Mortz, Barbara Ballmer-Weber, Margarida Gonçalo and Kristiina Aalto-Korte.

SAM included several informative poster and oral presentations, and some of the latter covered hot topics. For instance, case reports were shown, including skin diseases seen in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Several key messages were highlighted. For instance, in regard to AD treatment due to their complexity and broader targeting, it is important to consider AD comorbidities before deciding on a treatment. Additionally, CD incidence among AD patients has been increasing increased, and this is likely due to exposure to fragrances, non-noble metals, emollients, corticosteroids and other frequently used product (e.g., medical devices).

SAM included sessions directed to JM such as “Meet the experts – How to handle difficult cases”. In this activity, JMs were divided in five small groups to learn, interact and ask experts about a relevant topic. The groups were the following: allergic CD; AD and biologics; anaphylaxis to drug/excipients; urticaria/angioedema and mastocytosis; and food anaphylaxis.

In sum, SAM was highly successful and scientifically exciting for both seniors and JMs.

We look forward to seeing you at the next EAACI event, the International Severe Asthma Forum (ISAF), on 17th April 2021!

All the best,
The Junior Member Board