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  • © 2020

Patch Testing and Prick Testing

A Practical Guide Official Publication of the ICDRG

  • Extensively revised, updated, and expanded edition that reflects recent advances and includes more color illustrations

  • Updates include advances in patch testing methodology, in particular the new chambers that are appearing on the market, revision of the baseline series of patch tests to reflect the latest evidence-based work, and sections on key allergens and concentrations

  • Discusses the management of positive and negative patch test and prick test reactions Invaluable for all practicing dermatologists, from the beginner to the well-trained expert

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Softcover Book USD 99.99
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Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxii
  2. Patch Testing

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Pathophysiology of Allergic and Irritant Contact Dermatitis

      • Audrey Nosbaum, Jean-François Nicolas, Jean-Marie Lachapelle
      Pages 3-10
    3. Patch Testing Methodology

      • Jean-Marie Lachapelle, Howard I. Maibach
      Pages 39-84
    4. Baseline Series of Patch Tests

      • Jean-Marie Lachapelle
      Pages 85-103
    5. Photopatch Testing

      • Jean-Marie Lachapelle, An Goossens
      Pages 105-113
    6. The T.R.U.E. Test® Methodology

      • Jean-Marie Lachapelle, Howard I. Maibach
      Pages 115-124
    7. Additional Testing Procedures and Spot Tests

      • Jean-Marie Lachapelle, Howard I. Maibach
      Pages 125-143
    8. Clinical Relevance of Patch Test Reactions

      • Jean-Marie Lachapelle, Howard I. Maibach
      Pages 145-152
  3. Prick Testing

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 161-161
    2. Methodology of Open (Non-prick) Testing, Prick Testing, and Its Variants

      • Jean-Marie Lachapelle, Howard I. Maibach
      Pages 177-191
  4. Testing in Cutaneous Systemic Immune-Related Adverse Drug Reactions: Interest and Limitations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 193-193
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 211-246

About this book

The fourth edition of this important book, which includes additional color illustrations, has been extensively revised, updated, and expanded to reflect the most recent developments. These include advances in patch testing methodology, in particular the new chambers that are appearing on the market, revision of the baseline series of patch tests to reflect the latest evidence-based work, and additional testing procedures. Other additions include sections on key allergens and concentrations, with the result is a superb guide to the current management of positive and negative patch test and prick test reactions that will be invaluable for all practicing dermatologists, from the beginner to the well-trained expert.


The fourth edition continues the tradition of partnering with the ICDRG (International Contact Dermatitis Research Group). The ICDRG was formed in 1966 to promote the understanding of contact dermatitis. It has had major roles in the standardization of patch testing and the facilitation of regular scientific meetings, for over forty years and thirty five years respectively. It has also been involved in the authorship of a number of publications on contact dermatitis. Both Drs. Maibach and Lachapelle are members and the ICDRG is now comprised of representatives from all over the world, and currently includes members from Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, Singapore, Korea, India, Japan, Canada, Uruguay and Australia.




From the reviews of the previous editions:
"The aim is to balance brevity and clarity with sufficient details for beginners in the field of diagnostic patch and prick testing. … the book also will be of use to dermatology residents or anyone wishing to gain better knowledge of contact dermatitis. … There are many high-quality photographs and useful algorithms and tables. … It is clearly and concisely written and will serve as an indispensable guide for any dermatologist interested in contact dermatitis." (Renata H. Mullen, Doody’s Review Service, August, 2009)



Editors and Affiliations

  • Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

    Jean-Marie Lachapelle

  • Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

About the editors

Jean-Marie Lachapelle is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Dermatology at Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium. He is one of the foremost experts in patch testing and contact dermatitis.



Howard Maibach, MD
is an expert in contact and occupational dermatitis and sees patient at the Environmental Dermatosis Clinic, which is part of the Dermatology Clinic. His specialty is dermatotoxicology, or skin exposure toxicity; allergies and skin disorders; and dermatopharmacology or the study of medications for skin disorders. Dr. Maibach has been on the editorial board of more than 30 scientific journals and is a member of 19 professional societies, including the American Academy of Dermatology, San Francisco Dermatological Society and the Internal Commission on Occupation Health. He is a professor in the Department of Dermatology at UCSF.





Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Patch Testing and Prick Testing

  • Book Subtitle: A Practical Guide Official Publication of the ICDRG

  • Editors: Jean-Marie Lachapelle, Howard I. Maibach

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27099-5

  • Publisher: Springer Cham

  • eBook Packages: Medicine, Medicine (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-27098-8Published: 19 December 2019

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-27101-5Published: 09 January 2021

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-27099-5Published: 10 December 2019

  • Edition Number: 4

  • Number of Pages: XXII, 246

  • Number of Illustrations: 5 b/w illustrations, 93 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Dermatology, Allergology, Immunology, Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access