Dr. Claire Higgins Dermatologist, Female, MBBS (Hons), BSc (Hons), MPH, FACD

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Dermatologist, Female, MBBS (Hons), BSc (Hons), MPH, FACD

Dr Higgins is a caring and compassionate Dermatologist who provides holistic care across all age groups. Dr Higgins undertook her specialist Dermatology training in Victoria at St Vincent’s Hospital, Austin Hospital, Monash Health, Skin Health Institute,  Royal Women’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital. Dr Higgins has published research in domestic and international journals, and has worked in clinical trials for psoriasis and eczema treatments. She has completed a Master of Public Health majoring in health services management, with a focus on the role of patients and consumers in improving health services. Dr Higgins is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatology. She holds public appointments at Monash Health and the Skin Health Institute, and participates in a visiting Dermatology service to Portland in rural Victoria. Her professional interests include skin cancer surveillance and management, acne, eczema, psoriasis, hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) and women’s dermatology.

Publications

  • Adamson SR, Higgins CL, Veysey E. Hailey Hailey Disease (Benign Familial Pemphigus) responsive to treatment with ocrelizumab for multiple sclerosis. British Journal of Dermatology, 01 April 2023. doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljad101.
  • Nguyen JK, Niwa A, Higgins C, Johnson J, Darby J, Kelly R. Sporotrichoid cutaneous tuberculosis: an Australian case with negative QuantiFERON Gold test. Intern Med Journal 2022; 52(10):1843-1844. doi: 10.1111/imj.15927.
  • Patel K, Higgins C, Amerasinghe N, Kelly R. Erythema nodosum migrans – successful treatment with colchicine. Dermatologic Therapy 6 July 2022. doi.org/10.1111/dth.15694.
  • Geros H, Maor D, Higgins C, Bala HR, Nixon R. Intradermal testing for autoimmune progesterone dermatitis: should we be basing the diagnosis on it? Clin Exp Derm 3 April 2021. doi.org/10.1111/ced.14664.
  • Nixon R, Higgins C, Heim K. Short contact with nickel is not harmless. Response. Contact Dermatitis 2019; 80(4): 261-262.
  • Nixon R, Higgins C, Maor D, Rajgopal Bala H, Lalja A, Heim K. Does clinical testing support the current guidance definition of prolonged contact for nickel allergy? Contact Dermatitis 2018; 79: 356–64.
  • Higgins C, Howard A. A case of post-partum non-sexually acquired genital ulceration. Aust J Dermatology. 2017 Jul 10. doi: 10.1111/ajd.12581.
  • Higgins C, Palmer A, Cahill J, Nixon R. Occupational skin disease amongst Australian healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis from an occupational dermatology clinic, 1993 to 2014. Contact Dermatitis 2016; 75(4): 213–22.
  • Swan B, Tam M, Higgins C, Nixon R. Allergic contact dermatitis to substitute hair dyes in a patient allergic to para-phenylenediamine: pure henna, black tea and indigo powder. Aust J Dermatology. Article first published online: 24 Feb 2016. doi: 10.1111/ajd.12454.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R. Disposable nitrile gloves protect hairdressers from systemic exposure to paratoluenediamine. (Commentary). Occup Environ Med. 2016 Apr; 73(4): 219–20.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R. Facial allergic contact dermatitis without hand involvement caused by disposable latex gloves. Contact Dermatitis 2016; 74(4): 251–253.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R. Periorbital allergic contact dermatitis caused by lanolin in a lubricating eye ointment. Aust J Dermatology 2016: 57(1): 68-9.
  • Higgins C, Cahill J, Nixon R. A new stonemasonry surface adhesive causing occupational allergic contact dermatitis resulting from methyl methacrylate. Contact Dermatitis 2015: 73(2): 121-3.
  • Higgins C, Palmer A, Nixon R. Eucalyptus oil: contact allergy and safety. Contact Dermatitis 2015: 72(5): 344-6.

Book Chapters

  • Higgins C, Nixon R, Cahill J, Jolanki R. Epoxy Resins (Ch 51, pp757-788). In: Kanerva’s Occupational Dermatology (ed: Rustemeyer T et al.), 3rd edition. 2020: Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R, Cahill J, Jolanki R. Polyester Resins (Ch 54, p809-919). In: Kanerva’s Occupational Dermatology (ed: Rustemeyer T et al.), 3rd edition. 2020: Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
  • Rajgopal Bala H, Higgins C, Nixon R. Chapter 9: Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Photoallergy. Treatment of Skin Disease – 5th edition. 2017, Elsevier Limited.

Oral Presentations

  • Higgins C. Allergic reactions to surgical implants. Patch Test Training Day (accompanying 54th ASM), Adelaide, 29 April 2022.
  • Palmer A, Higgins C, Nixon R. Preventing occupational contact dermatitis in Australian healthcare workers: Translating our research into action. Australasian College of Dermatology 51st Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, 19–22 May 2018.
  • Higgins C, Balta S, Slavin J, Rathi V, Newnham G, Kelly R, Williams R. An engaging case of eccrine carcinoma. Australasian Dermatopathology Society 38th Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, 26 August 2017.
  • Higgins C. Sunscreens: How they work and the problems they cause. Skin Health Education Day, Occupational Dermatology Research & Education Centre, Melbourne, 4 Feb 2017.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R. Contact dermatitis caused by sunscreens: a cross-sectional study in a Victorian patch-test population. European Society for Contact Dermatitis 13th World Congress, Manchester, UK, 15 Sept 2016.
  • Higgins C, Palmer A, Cahill J, Nixon R. Occupational skin disease in healthcare workers: a 22-year Australian analysis. European Society for Contact Dermatitis 13th World Congress, Manchester, UK, 15 Sept 2016.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R, Barnard A. Nanotechnology in dermatology – New frontiers. Australasian College of Dermatology 49th Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth, 14-17 May 2016.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R. Skin reactions to sunscreens in a Victorian patch-test population: a cross-sectional study. Australasian College of Dermatology 49th Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth, 14-17 May 2016.
  • Higgins C, Cahill J, Palmer A, Nixon R. Dermatitis in healthcare workers. Patch Test Training Day (accompanying 49th ASM), Perth, 13 May 2016.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R. Spongiotic bullous drug reaction induced by salicylates. Australasian Dermatopathology Society 36th Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, 25 Oct 2015.
  • Higgins C, Palmer A, Nixon R. Occupational contact dermatitis among healthcare workers: a retrospective review. Australasian College of Dermatology 48th Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, 17 May 2015. (Awarded John Fewings Memorial Prize for Best Paper in Contact Dermatitis Symposium)

Poster Presentations 

  • Higgins C, Poon F, Wright A, Mar A, Murfin B, Barnes S, Simpson I. TEN-like presentation of purpura fulminans secondary to subgroup Y meningococcaemia. Australasian College of Dermatology 52nd Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, 17-20 May 2019.
  • Higgins C, Nixon R, Barnard A. Nanotechnology and contact dermatitis – applications and implications. European Society for Contact Dermatitis 13th World Congress, Manchester, UK, 14-17 Sept 2016.
  • Higgins C, Pagano R, Veysey E, Howard A. Primary Paget’s disease of the vulva successfully treated with imiquimod. Australasian College of Dermatology 49th Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth, 14-17 May 2016.
  • Higgins C, Howard A. Acute non–sexually acquired genital ulceration in a post-partum woman. Australasian College of Dermatology 49th Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth, 14-17 May 2016.
  • Higgins C, Braue A, Phemister A, Hatzi M, Jackson A, Hughes M, Tacey M, Varigos G. Psoriasis severity is influenced by nutritional intake: results of a dietary and lifestyle questionnaire in Victorian psoriasis patients. Australasian College of Dermatology 48th Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, 16-19 May 2015.
  • Dawson TM, McBride T, Cordwell L, Kearney J, Higgins C. Strategy for consumer and carer participation in cancer services reform in Victoria, Australia. Improving the Management of Cancer Services; 1-2 March 2006. Melbourne: Change Champions/Australian Resource Centre for Healthcare Innovation; 2006.