Radoslaw Spiewak

Jagiellonian University | UJ · Department of Experimental Dermatology and Cosmetology

Researchers active in the field of inflammatory skin diseases from the spectrum of dermatitis and eczema are well aware of a considerable overlap in the clinical pictures and proposed sets of diagnostic criteria for these diseases, which can hardly be overcome through the clinical or epidemiological research. In effect, patients are included in stu...

The aim of the current study was to develop an in silico model to predict the sensitizing potential of cosmetic ingredients based on their physicochemical characteristics and to compare the predictions with historical animal data and results from “omics”-based in vitro studies. An in silico model was developed with the use of WEKA machine learning...

Background: Occupational skin diseases have led the occupational disease statistics in Europe for many years. Especially occupational allergic contact dermatitis is associated with a poor prognosis and low healing rates leading to an enormous burden for the affected individual and for society. Objectives: To present the sensitization frequencies...

Importance The common use of isothiazolinones as preservatives is a global cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Differences in allowable concentrations of methylisothiazolinone (MI) exist in Europe, Canada, and the US. Objective To compare the prevalence of positive patch test reactions to the methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MC...

The European baseline series was last updated in 2019. This article discusses the reasoning behind a further iteration of the series for 2023.

Background: Results of preventative emollient therapy on atopic dermatitis and food allergy trials are inconsistent. In addition to the ingredients considered beneficial, the moisturizers may contain potentially harmful haptens. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of haptens in moisturizers used in studies to prevent atopic dermatitis or foo...

Background: Hand eczema is a common inflammatory skin disorder. Health care providers need continuously updated information about the management of hand eczema to ensure best treatment for their patients. Objectives: To update the European Society of Contact Dermatitis guideline on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment on of hand eczema. Met...

In patients with drug hypersensitivity reactions, confirmation of causality frequently facilitates decision on a continuation or withdrawal of a given treatment. Unfortunately, identification of the culprit drug often proves difficult. In vivo methods possess well-known disadvantages like low sensitivity of skin tests or the risk of relapse during...

Background Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is caused by the acute locally toxic effect of a strong irritant, or the cumulative exposure to various weaker physical and/or chemical irritants. Objectives To describe characteristics of patients with ICD in the population patch tested in the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA; w...

The basis for development of atopic dermatitis are genetic, immunological and microbiological abnormalities as well as epidermal barrier defects. The course of the disease includes periodic exacerbations and remissions. Its development and course are influenced by numerous environmental and individual factors. In recent decades, in industrialized c...

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is secondary to genetic, immunological, and microbiological disorders as well as epidermal barrier defects, which are the main targets of therapy. The disease proceeds with periodic exacerbations. Its development and course are influenced by numerous environmental and individual factors. In recent decades, in industrialized c...

Angioedema is a non-inflammatory edema of the subcutaneous tissue and/or mucosal membranes. It commonly coexists with urticaria and is considered a deep form of urticaria. Less commonly, it occurs as an isolated disease in one of two basic forms: acquired angioedema and hereditary angioedema. Four types of acquired angioedema and seven types of her...

Background: Clinical surveillance of the prevalence of contact allergy in consecutively patch tested patients is a proven instrument to continually assess the importance of contact allergens (haptens) assembled in a baseline series. Objectives: To present current results from the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA), includi...

Angioedema is a non-inflammatory oedema of the subcutaneous tissue and/or mucosal membranes. It most commonly coexists with urticaria wheals and is considered to be a deep form of urticaria. Less commonly, it occurs in isolation and can take two basic forms: acquired angioedema and hereditary angioedema. Currently, there are 4 defined types of acqu...

Hypersensitivity reactions to drugs are not uncommon. The skin is by far the most frequently affected organ. Reactions can have a variety of clinical pictures. The diagnosis of cutaneous drug hypersensitivity reactions can be difficult due to the many possible differential diagnoses. Accurate classification is therefore crucial for correct diagnosi...

The treatment goal in atopic dermatitis is eliminating clinical symptoms of the disease, preventing exacerbations and complications, as well as improving patients' quality of life. In cases of severe atopic dermatitis and lack of response it is recommended to introduce systemic therapy. Patients ofter require multi-specialist consultations, and occ...

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory dermatosis with concomitant intensive pruritus, and is diagnosed both in children and adults. Atopic dermatitis-patients are predisposed to have bacterial, viral and fungal skin infections; they also suffer from an increased risk of developing food allergies (especially, at an infantile age)...

The treatment goal in atopic dermatitis is eliminating clinical symptoms of the disease, preventing exacerbations and complications, as well as improving patients' quality of life. In cases of severe atopic dermatitis and lack of response it is recommended to introduce systemic therapy. Patients ofter require multi-specialist consultations, and occ...

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory dermatosis with concomitant intensive pruritus, and is diagnosed both in children and adults. Atopic dermatitis -patients are predisposed to have bacterial, viral and fungal skin infections; they also suffer from an increased risk of developing food allergies (especially, at an infantile age...

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) are common and the skin is by far the most frequently involved organ with a broad spectrum of reaction types. The diagnosis of cutaneous DHRs (CDHR) may be difficult because of multiple differential diagnoses. A correct classification is important for the correct diagnosis and management. With these guidelines,...

Background: Present screening methods to rapidly detect release of nickel and cobalt ions from metallic surfaces involve colorimetric dimethylglyoxime (DMG)- and disodium-1-nitroso-2-naphthol-3,6-disulfonate-based spot tests with a cotton bud. There is a risk of false-negative test reactions because test outcomes are dependent on the pressure, are...

The method of choice and gold standard in the diagnosis of delayed-type hypersensitivity is patch testing; therefore, patch testing for metal allergy has become routine. Most national and international baseline series for patch testing contain nickel, chromium and cobalt. There are numerous metals of increasing medical importance that are not on ro...

Background: Polysensitization, defined as being allergic to three or more haptens from the European baseline series, is considered to reflect increased susceptibility to developing a contact allergy, and is likely to be associated with an impaired quality of life. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalences of polysensitization across Europe and to...

Introduction In clinical practice, reliable tools for monitoring specific immunotherapy (SIT) are of utmost importance. Aim To assess the usefulness of the basophil activation test (BAT) in monitoring SIT in paediatric patients with allergy to house dust mites (HDM). Material and methods Thirty-one children qualified for SIT with HDM, of whom 21...

Introduction and objective Farmers are at high risk of occupational skin diseases which may start already during vocational training. This study was aimed at identification of risk factors for work-related skin diseases among vocational students of agriculture. Material and methods The study involved 440 students (245 males, 195 females aged 17–21...

Wstęp: Skóra noworodków i niemowląt wykazuje niepełną dojrzałość, stąd szczególnie ważne wydaje się stosowanie w tej grupie preparatów bezpiecznych i wolnych od składników uczulających. Cel pracy: Analiza składu dostępnych na polskim rynku preparatów kosmetycznych przeznaczonych dla noworodków i niemowląt pod kątem występowania składników o znanym...

Background: Work-related skin diseases (WSD) are caused or worsened by a professional activity. Occupational skin diseases (OSD) need to fulfil additional legal criteria which differ from country to country. OSD range amongst the five most frequently notified occupational diseases (musculoskeletal diseases, neurologic diseases, lung diseases, dise...

Background: Contact allergy is a common condition and can severely interfere with daily life or professional activities. Due to changes in exposures, a consequence of introduction of new substances, new products or formulations, and regulatory intervention, the spectrum of contact sensitisation changes. Objective: To evaluate the current spectru...

Drug hypersensitivity reactions may manifest with either organ-specific or systemic symptoms, but cutaneous eruptions are the most common manifestations. Different medications may cause identical skin symptoms, whereas hypersensitivity to a single drug may manifest with various patterns of symptoms depending on the pathomechanism of hypersensitivit...

Background: Rubber additives constitute an important group of contact allergens, particularly in certain occupations. Objectives: To collect information regarding the current practice of using a 'rubber series' in Europe, and discuss this against the background of evidence concerning the prevalence of allergy in order to derive a recommendation...

Purpose: The aim of this study was to give an overview of the prevalence of contact allergy to active ingredients and excipients of topical medications across Europe. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data collected by the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (www.essca-dc.org) with substances applied to consecutively patch tested...

The aim of the present paper is to review the existing knowledge on the current strategies in food allergy management and propose an integrated approach to management of food allergy and intolerance. Such approach should consist of Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) addressed to health professionals, food industry and educators, and Dietary Behavi...

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a condition frequently encountered in medical practices across the country. More than 60% of children with AD are at risk to develop allergic rhinitis or asthma (the atopic march). Patients with AD have a unique predisposition to colonization or infection by Staphylococcus aureus. Treatments for AD need to rapidly control...

[Prevention and ways to remove pigmentation spots - review of available methods] Pigmentation spots are cosmetic defect that appears as a result of an increased amount of melanin and melanocytes (pigmentation cells) in epidermis. They occur most often in women over 50 years of age. The chemical and mechanical peels, besides pharmacological treatm...