Contact dermatitis and skin allergies
Contact
- Outpatients appointments
- 020 3312 7993
Visitor Information
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About
Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema induced by skin exposure to a particular substance. Common examples of triggers include fragrances, metals, rubber chemicals, and preservatives. Contact dermatitis may be irritant, where a substance directly damages the outer layer of the skin, or allergic, where a substance induces an allergic immune response in the skin. In our contact dermatitis clinic, patients suspected to have an allergic contact dermatitis undergo patch testing to help identify potential causes of skin allergy. The tests involve three appointments at the clinic within a single week. The clinic does not investigate food allergies.
Treatment of contact dermatitis includes avoidance of the trigger, and application of topical emollients and topical steroids.
Additional information
Further online resources
- BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF DERMATOLOGISTS – CONTACT DERMATITIS
- NHS – CONTACT DERMATITIS
- NATIONAL ECZEMA SOCIETY
- BRITISH SKIN FOUNDATION
- BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF DERMATOLOGISTS – HAND DERMATITIS
- BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF DERMATOLOGISTS – HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR HANDS