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New Centre for Applied Excellence in Skin and Allergy Research at Bristol

Press release issued: 25 April 2024

A new Centre for Applied Excellence in Skin and Allergy Research (CAESAR) is to be set up at Bristol.

Led by Matthew Ridd, GP and Professor of Primary Health Care, the Centre seeks to improve the diagnosis and treatment of common skin and allergy problems in primary care.

The majority of people with skin and allergy conditions are looked after by their GP. However, there are many uncertainties about how best to look after even common problems. For example, the main treatments for eczema are moisturisers (emollients) and flare control creams (topical corticosteroids). These have been around for decades, yet we still don’t how to use them together optimally or indeed how to support carers and patients with eczema to look after their skin.

Comprising a multi-disciplinary group of 20 people with a focus on childhood eczema and food allergy, CAESAR will work on Transforming Outcomes for Paediatric Allergy in Primary Care (TOPIC) programme. Underpinned by strong public, patient and stakeholder involvement, supporting equality, diversity and inclusion. During its first five years it will address the following research questions:

  1. What are the most effective and safe ways to use emollients and topical corticosteroids to treat children with eczema in primary care? 
  2. Does an eczema clinic in primary care improve disease control in children? 
  3. What are the priorities for food allergy research in children? 
  4. What awareness is there of early allergen introduction advice, is it being followed and is it preventing food allergy? 

Read the full University of Bristol news item

Further information

CAESAR sits within the Centre for Academic Primary Care, NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR), University of Bristol. It works closely with the Bristol Trials Centre and builds on existing studies (TIGERATHENA) and collaborations. The centre also hosts the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) and NIHR SPCR Skin and Allergy specialist interest groups.

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