Consultant dermatologist · London
Private patch testing for contact allergy in London, by a consultant dermatologist.
Contact-allergy testing by a dermatologist across three visits in one week — with proper relevance grading and a practical avoidance plan. Not the same test as food or hayfever allergy screens.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Consultant dermatologist-led
Testing and interpretation by a consultant dermatologist with contact-allergy expertise — not a general clinic.
- 02
Relevance, not just positives
Positive allergens are graded for clinical relevance to your history — a positive result isn’t always the answer.
- 03
A practical avoidance plan
You leave with a personalised allergen-avoidance list and product-safe recommendations you can actually use.
Indicative pricing
What private patch testing costs in London.
Indicative ranges across consultant-led London dermatology clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A British standard series in our network: £450-£900, across 3 visits in one week.
| Series | Indicative range | Visits | Results turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| British standard series (baseline) | £450–£900 | 3 visits (Mon-Fri) | Same week |
| Extended series (cosmetics, hairdressing) | £700–£1,400 | 3 visits | Same week |
| Metal series | £550–£1,100 | 3 visits | Same week |
| Fragrance / preservative series | £600–£1,200 | 3 visits | Same week |
| Own-products testing (bring your own) | £250–£500 add-on | Add to any series | Same week |
| Full comprehensive testing | £1,000–£2,200 | 3 visits | Same week |
Prices vary by consultant, how many allergen series are included, and whether own-products testing is added. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A list of positives isn’t an answer.
Plenty of places will stick allergens on your back and hand you a sheet of positives. Grading each one for relevance to your history, and translating them into a plan you can live with, is the part that matters.
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Rash you can’t explain?
Tell us the pattern and history — we match you to the right series, not the biggest bundle.
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Suspecting your job?
Occupational dermatitis needs a workplace-aware assessment and often own-products testing.
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Testing done, still stuck?
Bring your previous results — we can extend the series or add own-products and re-read for relevance.
The journey
From enquiry to results — a single week, three visits.
One consultant dermatologist from first message to your final reading and avoidance plan.
Phase 1 · Before your test
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · Test week
Day 0, Day 2, Day 4
Phase 3 · After
Report & plan
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Rash pattern, occupation, products used, and previous treatments tried.
- 02
Before
We match you to a dermatologist
Within one working day: a consultant with contact-allergy expertise and the right series for your case.
- 03
Before
We book your three visits
Day 0, Day 2 and Day 4 in the same week (Mon-Fri). Fasting isn’t needed, but you’ll need to keep your back dry.
- 04
Test week
Day 0 — patches applied
Allergen panels are taped to your upper back. Around 30-45 minutes. You go home with them in place.
- 05
Test week
Day 2 — patches removed & read
Patches come off and the first reading is taken. Any early reactions are recorded.
- 06
After
Day 4 — final reading
The definitive 96-hour reading — the most important one. Late reactions are captured here.
- 07
After
Results & avoidance plan
Your dermatologist explains each positive, grades relevance, and gives you a written avoidance list and product recommendations.
Typical end-to-end: one working week. Written report: within a few days of Day 4.
What it shows
Find the allergen behind the rash.
The cases that most often bring people to patch testing — and one red flag that needs urgent dermatology instead.
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Chronic hand or facial dermatitis
Persistent rash on hands or face where a contact allergen is suspected but unproven.
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Cosmetic allergy
Reactions to creams, make-up, sunscreens or skincare products — fragrances and preservatives are common culprits.
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Hairdresser occupational eczema
Hand or scalp reactions in hairdressers and clients, commonly PPD, cocamidopropyl betaine or thioglycolates.
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Nickel / metal allergy
Rash from jewellery, watch backs, belt buckles or dental / orthopaedic implants.
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Occupational contact dermatitis
Rashes linked to work — healthcare, construction, cleaning, catering, beauty or manufacturing.
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Foot dermatitis (shoe allergens)
Eczema of the feet driven by rubber accelerators, chromate in leather or shoe adhesives.
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Persistent eczema without a trigger
Long-standing eczema where topical treatments aren’t working — an unrecognised contact allergen may be driving it.
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Red flag: widespread blistering rash
A widespread blistering or systemic reaction needs urgent dermatology, not routine patch testing.
Popular series
The series we arrange most.
What each option is actually for.
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British standard series
The baseline panel of the most common contact allergens across the UK population.
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Extended series
Adds cosmetics, fragrances and hairdressing allergens to the baseline for broader coverage.
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Metal series
Nickel, cobalt, chromate and related metals — used for jewellery and implant reactions.
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Fragrance / preservative series
Detailed fragrance mixes and preservatives found in skincare and household products.
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Hairdresser series
PPD, thioglycolates, cocamidopropyl betaine and other salon-specific allergens.
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Dental series
Methacrylates, metals and materials used in dentistry and orthodontics.
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Own-products testing
Your own creams, cosmetics and workplace materials tested alongside a standard series.
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Comprehensive package
A tailored combination of series for complex or long-standing cases.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of consultant dermatologists, we picked them.
Consultants with contact-allergy expertise across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every dermatologist in our patch-testing network.
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Consultant dermatologists with contact-allergy expertise
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Chemotechnique / SmartPractice allergens used across every series
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96-hour reading standard — not just a Day-2 read
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Onward advice on avoidance and product-safe lists
Preparation and practicalities
Safe, but preparation matters.
Patch testing is a low-risk outpatient test, but steroids, sweating and timing all affect the result. Here’s what to plan for.
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Three visits in one week
Testing requires Day 0 (apply), Day 2 (remove & read) and Day 4 (final read). You need to be in London and available all three days.
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Avoid sun and heavy exercise
Strong sun exposure and heavy sweating can dislodge the patches or distort readings during the test week.
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No steroids on the back for 2 weeks
Topical steroids on the back within 2 weeks of testing suppress reactions and give false negatives.
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Keep the back dry for 48 hours
No showers, baths or swimming while the patches are in place — sponge washes only until Day 2.
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Itchy positive reactions are expected
A positive reaction is an itchy, red patch — this is the point of the test and it settles within days.
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Rare severe reactions
Occasionally a strong reaction blisters or spreads. Your dermatologist explains what to look for and how to reach them.
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Pregnancy is a consideration
Patch testing isn’t usually performed in pregnancy unless clearly indicated — we discuss timing on a case-by-case basis.
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Not the same as skin-prick testing
Patch testing finds contact (delayed) allergies to substances that touch the skin — it doesn’t test for food or hayfever allergies.
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Avoidance is the treatment
Once an allergen is identified, avoiding it is the treatment — there’s no pill to “desensitise” contact allergy.
Reading your report
A results sheet can look intimidating. It isn't.
However many series were run, your patch-testing report follows the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
A positive patch is not always the cause — relevance grading is what turns a result into an answer.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your occupation and eczema pattern
Your details, occupation, rash distribution and the question the testing was set up to answer.
- 02 Technique
Which series were used
The allergen series applied (standard, extended, metal, fragrance, own products) and the reading days.
- 03 Findings
Positive allergens, graded for relevance
Each positive allergen with a grading of current, past or unknown clinical relevance to your history.
- 04 Impression
Your allergens, avoidance list and safe products — read this first
The plain-English summary: what you’re allergic to, what to avoid, and product recommendations you can actually use.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Patch testing is often covered when medically indicated and pre-authorised; we confirm cover with your insurer.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about patch testing.
Quick answers on cost, the 3-visit schedule, steroids, pregnancy and results.
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What is patch testing?
Patch testing is a dermatology test for contact (delayed-type) allergy. Small panels of allergens are taped to your upper back and read at Day 2 and Day 4 to identify what your skin is reacting to.
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Why does it take three visits?
Contact allergy reactions develop slowly. Patches go on at Day 0, come off and are read at Day 2, and are read definitively at Day 4 (96 hours). The final reading is the most important — many reactions only appear then.
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Is this the same as skin-prick or blood allergy testing?
No. Skin-prick and specific-IgE blood tests find immediate allergies (foods, pollens, animals). Patch testing finds delayed contact allergies to substances that touch the skin — like nickel, fragrances or preservatives.
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How much does private patch testing cost in London?
A British standard series is typically £450-£900. Extended, metal, fragrance and own-products testing sit between £250 and £1,400. A full comprehensive package can reach £1,000-£2,200. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Most consultant dermatologists accept self-referral for patch testing. A referral from your GP or dermatologist is helpful but not required — we can also arrange a fast-track private GP if needed.
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Can I have patch testing in pregnancy?
Patch testing isn’t usually performed in pregnancy unless clearly needed. In most cases we advise delaying testing until after delivery and breastfeeding, and discuss individual cases with the dermatologist.
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What about steroids and other treatments?
Topical steroids on the back must be stopped for 2 weeks before testing, and strong oral steroids (above roughly 10 mg prednisolone) can suppress results. Antihistamines are fine and do not need to be stopped.
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What if I sweat a lot during the test?
Avoid heavy exercise, saunas and hot yoga during the test week. Light activity is fine. If a patch does lift, we replace it on Day 2 or adjust the reading accordingly.
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How quickly do I get results?
You get the final results verbally at Day 4, and a written report with your allergens, relevance grading and avoidance list follows within a few working days.
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When should I see a GP urgently instead?
A widespread blistering rash, facial swelling, breathing difficulty or systemic symptoms need urgent GP or A&E assessment — not routine patch testing.
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