Award winning dermatology service, with over 20 years of experience
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Conditions
PATCH TESTING ALLERGY CLINIC IN CANTERBURY
Allergy is extremely widespread, affecting approximately half of the population in the UK at some point in their lives. Every year these numbers are increasing by around 5%, with as many as half of all sufferers being children.
The Canterbury Skin and Laser Clinic offer allergy testing as part of their comprehensive range of services, as we know how much allergies, intolerance and sensitivities can affect our lives. Patch testing is designed to find out if there is an allergic contact cause for your skin disease. In addition to patch testing, we can offer a full spectrum of blood allergy testing to see if there is an allergic component driving your skin disease.
If you are suffering from symptoms of an allergic reaction, it is more than worthwhile to be tested – whether that be to understand what has caused the reaction, or to have confirmation. There are a number of tests available that can be carried out that will depend on your symptoms and condition of your skin.
Here at the Canterbury Skin and Laser Clinic, we offer the main types of allergy tests. Any professional interpreting skin, blood or patch tests must first interpret the results in the light of the patient’s history. No test should be read in isolation.
WHAT IS ALLERGY PATCH TESTING?
The purpose of patch testing is to investigate whether your dermatitis or allergy is caused by a contact allergy and attempts to identify which specific substances cause your skin to react.
The substances we use for the test are often present in products that your skin is in contact with and are known to cause skin allergies such as metals, perfumes, rubber, gules and preservatives found in many toiletries. Patch testing does not detect allergies related to diet, hay fever or asthma.
A Patch Test can check for between 20 and 70 allergens at any one time. The testing requires three visits to the clinic over a five- or six-day period. If any relevant allergens are identified that might be contributing to your skin condition, these will be discussed with you. Hopefully avoidance of these allergens will result in a great improvement in your rash. Sometimes patch tests can be negative and a contact allergy excluded.
BLOOD TESTS
To test for allergies using blood tests, we will simply carry out a test on a small sample of blood, normally taken from a vein in your arm, and you will find out the results within a week to two week period.
PATCH TESTS
Patch testing for allergies is more specific to those suffering from eczema, where the allergy is suspected. With this, small doses of allergens are placed onto the skin in order to work out the cause of the skin reaction. A Patch Test can check for between 20 and 70 allergens at any one time. The testing requires three visits to the clinic over a five- or six-day period.
ALLERGY PATCH TESTS ON THE BACK
The interpretation of this form of testing is not as simple as it sounds and tends to be carried out by the dermatology department in hospitals. The symptoms of contact dermatitis need to be brought under control before patch testing can be carried out, otherwise the results will be unreliable. Steroid creams need to be stopped for 3-4 weeks before testing as they may suppress the test response.
If any relevant allergens are identified that might be contributing to your skin condition, these will be discussed with you. Hopefully avoidance of these allergens will result in a great improvement in your rash. Sometimes patch tests can be negative and a contact allergy excluded.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN'T HAVE PATCH TESTING?
Patch testing is not advisable if you:
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have extensive eczema on your back
• have been exposed to the sun or have used a sun bed over the previous 2 weeks
• have recently applied an artificial tan
• are using moderate or high dose oral steroids
It is not possible to apply test patches if the skin on your back is scratched, sun burnt, has a rash or excessive hair growth. If you do have excessive hair on your back, please have the area shaved before your appointment.
Avoid using antihistamines for 48 hours before and during the patch testing period as this would reduce any visible reaction to the allergens.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE “DOS AND DON’TS” DURING PATCH TESTING
Keeping the patches dry is the most important aspect of accurate patch testing.
Water or moisture of any description will often cause the allergens to dissolve out of their chambers and often make results difficult to interpret.
For the whole 4 to 5-day testing period whilst the patch tests and ink markings are on your skin:
Don’t:
- Get the patches or markings wet in the bath or shower
- Work up a sweat by exercising too hard
- Go swimming
- Wear pale or valuable clothing as the ink may stain it
- Expose yourself to sunlight
- Take immunosuppressive medications (If you already taking these, patch testing is not likely possible as the results will be suppressed)
If the area becomes itchy, try not to scratch.
Do:
- Use the shower cautiously and attempt to sponge wash yourself whilst keeping the patches/markings out of the water flow
- Shower on the morning before your patch test (as you won’t be able to have a proper shower for at least a further 96 hours)
- Enjoy a holiday from exercise or sport that causes you to sweat
- If you notice a patch coming away, try to tape it down yourself
- Contact the clinic if you have questions or concerns
- Remember, these restrictions and recommendations need to cover the entire period from the first visit right through to the last, or the results may be invalidated
WHAT SIDE-EFFECTS MAY OCCUR?
If you have a positive allergy, the biggest side-effect people suffer with will be itching. Sometimes you can also get an irritant reaction under the tape and this is also itchy.
- Occasionally reactions can become red, swollen or even blistered
- In strong positive allergies persistent reactions may occur which take a few weeks to disappear
- Eczema may flare up in the presence of positive patch test
- Inflammation can cause pigment change which may lighten or darken and sometimes lasts for a few months but is rarely permanent
IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN'T HAVE PATCH TESTING?
Patch testing is not advisable if you:
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have extensive eczema on your back
• have been exposed to the sun or have used a sun bed over the previous 2 weeks
• have recently applied an artificial tan
• are using moderate or high dose oral steroids
It is not possible to apply test patches if the skin on your back is scratched, sun burnt, has a rash or excessive hair growth. If you do have excessive hair on your back, please have the area shaved before your appointment.
Avoid using antihistamines for 48 hours before and during the patch testing period as this would reduce any visible reaction to the allergens.
REQUEST A CALL BACK
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What our Customers Say
WHY GET YOUR ALLERGIES PATCH TESTED AT CANTERBURY SKIN AND LASER CLINIC?
Here at Kent’s leading private skin and laser clinic, our experts are specialists in all aspects of dermatology, skin cancer, anti-ageing and beauty treatments. We are one of the few skin clinics in the UK where all medical consultations and treatments are provided by specialist doctors with Dermatology experience and laser training.
Canterbury Skin and Laser Clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, ensuring the best level of treatment is provided to you in a safe environment. Our Clinical Lead Dr Mark Hudson-Peacock is a member of the British Association of Dermatologists, the British Laser Medical Association, the British Hair and Nail Society, the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and is certified by the Consulting Room. We have won many awards including the WhatClinic Patient Service Award in 2019 and the ghp Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards 2019.
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