Clinical Pearls on Managing Allergic Contact Dermatitis, with April Martinez-Dulay, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

April Martinez-Dulay, MSN, APRN, FNP-C—known for her work as a Consultative Complex Medical Dermatology Nurse Practitioner at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF)—spoke with HCPLive at the Dermatology Education Foundation (DERM) 2025 NP/PA CME Conference in Las Vegas about a topic highlighted in one of her sessions: allergic contact dermatitis.1,2

Martinez-Dulay noted allergic contact dermatitis commonly impacts the eyelids, face, hands, perianal, and genital areas, with 22-45% prevalence. A diagnosis of this type of reaction relies on patch testing in dermatology offices, distinguishing between immediate (15 minutes) and delayed (48 hours) hypersensitivity reactions.

“Patch testing is done in a dermatology office,” Martinez-Dulay said. “When you go to a website called ACDS, or Allergic Contact Dermatitis Society, you will be able to locate who the providers are who perform the patch testing. One of the most important things when you have allergic contact is allergen avoidance.”

The ACDS website helps locate providers and Martinez-Dulay suggests allergen avoidance. For example, if allergic to fragrance allergens like balsams, products are listed. Various treatments for atopic dermatitis were noted as available, including topical and oral medications, and biologics like IL-31, IL-13, and IL-4 for moderate to severe cases.

Later, Martinez-Dulay was asked about the research and recently-approved treatments about which she is most excited, relating her answer specifically to dermatologic diseases like atopic dermatitis.

“We have a lot of therapies that are available now for atopic dermatitis,” she explained. “We have come to use the topicals and oral medicines. And we have IL-31, we have IL-13, and IL-4 available. These are very effective and are available for our patients…if they have moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.”

To find out additional information on such subjects, view Martinez-Dulay’s full interview segment above. For more from DERM 2025, view the latest conference coverage.

The quotes implemented in this interview summary were edited for clarity.

References

1. Martinez-Dulay, A. Targeting the IL-31 Neuroimmune Pathway: A Key to AD and Prurigo Nodularis. Presented at DERM 2025 NP PA CME Conference; July 23-26, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada.

2. Martinez-Dulay, A. Surfing through the Diagnostic Maze of Dermatitis and Lymphoma. Presented at DERM 2025 NP PA CME Conference; July 23-26, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada.