Polyclinic DermaPlus is organizing the School of Atopy this winter – an educational program designed for parents of children suffering from atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases.
School of Atopy will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 9:00 AM.
The course includes lectures by renowned experts with extensive experience in treating children with allergic diseases, focusing on an interdisciplinary approach to treatment.
The educational program includes lectures by pediatric dermatologists, allergists and clinical immunologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, nutritionists, and psychologists. Speakers include pediatric dermatologist (Assoc. Prof. Lena Kotrulja, MD, PhD), pediatric allergists and clinical immunologists (Assoc. Prof. Darko Richter, MD, PhD, and Assoc. Prof. Marta Navratil, MD, PhD), pediatric gastroenterologist (Assoc. Prof. Alemka Jaklin Kekez, MD), nutritionist (Dr. Tina Milavić, professor), and psychologist (Natalija Šitum, MSc in psychology).
The practical section demonstrates proper application of topical therapy, principles of wet wraps, the fundamentals of corticosteroid use, including the FTU (finger-tip unit) method, the application of immunomodulators, and instructions on daily skincare – essential for effective disease control.
School of Atopy represents an interdisciplinary educational program aimed at parents of children with atopic dermatitis, as well as children with food allergies associated with the condition. This program aims to explain the causes of the disease, factors contributing to inflammation flare-ups, and instructions on proper therapy implementation. In cases of food allergies, it also highlights the importance of elimination diets and nutritional counseling for adequate child nutrition.
The first educational programs for parents (Schools of Atopic Dermatitis) began in major dermatology centers across Europe in 2004, initially in Germany, followed by France (Prof. Stadler – 2006) and Italy (Prof. Carlo Gelmetti – 2007). Their impact on improving disease control and the quality of life for parents and affected children has been extensively documented in numerous studies. Today, this interdisciplinary educational program is considered the “gold standard” in the approach and treatment of children with this chronic skin condition.
The first School of Atopy in Croatia was held in 2011 at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology of KBC “Sestre milosrdnice,” initiated and organized by dermatologist Assoc. Prof. Lena Kotrulja, MD, PhD, who gathered an interdisciplinary team (pediatric dermatology subspecialist, nutritionist, and psychologist).
The education includes lectures on the causes/etiopathogenesis of the disease, basic diagnostic procedures, treatment, proper skincare, and avoiding various factors that can worsen the condition.
School of Atopy Program:
- 09:00 – 09:20 Introduction, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of atopic dermatitis (Assoc. Prof. Lena Kotrulja, MD, PhD, dermatologist and pediatric dermatology subspecialist) – Polyclinic DermaPlus
- 09:20 – 09:45 Allergy diagnostics in children with atopic dermatitis (Assoc. Prof. Darko Richter, MD, PhD) – Polyclinic DermaPlus
- 09:45 – 10:10 Treatment of atopic dermatitis and secondary prevention; the importance of controlled use of topical corticosteroids (Assoc. Prof. Lena Kotrulja, MD, PhD, dermatologist and pediatric dermatology subspecialist) – Polyclinic DermaPlus
- 10:10 – 10:40 Gastrointestinal manifestations of food allergies (Assoc. Prof. Alemka Jaklin Kekez, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist) – Polyclinic Helena
- 10:40 – 11:10 Vaccination and allergies (Assoc. Prof. Marta Navratil, MD, PhD, pediatrician and clinical immunology specialist) – Children’s Hospital, Zagreb
- 11:10 – 11:25 PAUSE
- 11:25 – 11:35 Interactive story education for children – “The Story of the Little House” (Lidija Dilenardo, nurse; Jadranka Pavlić, BSc in medical technology) – Polyclinic DermaPlus
- 11:35 – 12:05 Elimination diets for children with food allergies and the fear of nutrient deficiencies; alternative nutrient sources (Dr. Tina Milavić, professor, nutritionist)
- 12:05 – 12:30 Atopic dermatitis in children: Emotional responses of children and parents to the disease (Natalija Šitum, MSc in psychology)
- 12:30 – 13:00 Interactive workshop on topical therapy application and skincare (Vanja Primorac, BSc in medical technology, Lidija Dilenardo, nurse, Jadranka Pavlić, BSc in medical technology)
FOR ALL INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION REGISTRATION, PLEASE CONTACT POLYCLINIC DERMAPLUS VIA EMAIL: info@dermaplus.hr
School of Atopy team of experts
Interdisciplinary team of lecturers:
Assoc. Prof. Lena Kotrulja, MD, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Alemka Jaklin Kekez, MD, Assoc. Prof. Darko Richter, MD, PhD, Prof. Marta Navratil, MD, PhD, Dr. Tina Milavić (nutritionist), Natalija Šitum (psychologist)