Explain allergic contact dermatitis and patch testing to a parent — OSCE

Candidate instructions

You are the paediatric registrar. You have five minutes to speak with Mrs Chen, whose nine-year-old daughter Mia has atopic eczema that is otherwise well controlled, but has developed an intensely itchy, recurring rash around her umbilicus that comes back whenever she wears her favourite jeans. You suspect allergic contact dermatitis to nickel and are planning a patch test. Mrs Chen is worried that the usual creams have stopped working and that her daughter has developed a new allergy. Explain what allergic contact dermatitis is in plain language, why the usual creams have not worked, what the patch test involves, and the plan for avoidance and treatment — honestly and without overpromising. Answer her questions, check her understanding, and agree a plan with her. ^[3]