SKIN | ALLERGY TESTING
Allergy Patch Testing for Contact Allergies
When your skin keeps reacting and nobody can tell you why: consultant-led patch testing that identifies the actual trigger. Adult clinics at Berkshire Grove Hospital, Maidenhead; paediatric testing at Heatherwood.
Process
4 to 5 days
Visits
3 appointments
Test Panel
TRUE TEST® 36
GP Referral
None required
IS THIS YOU?
Most people reading this page are thinking one of these things:
My eczema keeps coming back and nobody can tell me why.
Every cream helps for a week, then the rash returns.
I think my skin reacts to something I use, but I can't work out what.
My hands flare up at work and I'm worried it's something I handle.
My child's skin reacts to something, and we're chasing our tails.
I want answers, not another prescription.
Contact allergies are hard to spot on your own because reactions are delayed, appearing hours or days after exposure. Patch testing exists to solve exactly that problem: a structured, clinical way to link cause and effect.
FINDING THE TRIGGER
What is allergy patch testing and how does it work?
Patch testing is a diagnostic investigation for delayed contact allergies, the kind that drive persistent eczema, dermatitis and unexplained rashes. Small panels containing common allergens are applied to your back and worn for two days; your skin is then examined over a series of visits to identify which substances, if any, your immune system reacts to.
Rather than focusing on symptom control, patch testing aims to identify the underlying trigger so it can be avoided, supporting longer-term skin stability rather than another cycle of short-term treatment. We test with the TRUE TEST® 36 panel, covering the most common contact allergens: metals, fragrances, preservatives, skincare and haircare ingredients, and occupational substances.
Patch testing allows us to investigate: persistent or recurrent eczema; facial, eyelid or hand dermatitis; reactions to skincare, cosmetics or hair products; sensitivity to metals, fragrances or preservatives; and occupational skin reactions.
Rather than focusing on symptom control, patch testing aims to identify the underlying trigger so it can be avoided, supporting longer-term skin stability rather than another cycle of short-term treatment. We test with the TRUE TEST® 36 panel, covering the most common contact allergens: metals, fragrances, preservatives, skincare and haircare ingredients, and occupational substances.
Patch testing allows us to investigate: persistent or recurrent eczema; facial, eyelid or hand dermatitis; reactions to skincare, cosmetics or hair products; sensitivity to metals, fragrances or preservatives; and occupational skin reactions.
WHO IT'S FOR
Who should consider patch testing?
Patch testing is a diagnostic investigation for delayed contact allergies, the kind that drive persistent eczema, dermatitis and unexplained rashes. Small panels containing common allergens are applied to your back and worn for two days; your skin is then examined over a series of visits to identify which substances, if any, your immune system reacts to.
For children: paediatric patch testing is available at our Heatherwood clinic, where the appropriate facilities and approvals are in place. Few private clinics in the region offer this; our team will advise on the right location when you book.
And if patch testing isn't the most appropriate investigation for you, we'll say so openly at consultation and point you to what is.
For children: paediatric patch testing is available at our Heatherwood clinic, where the appropriate facilities and approvals are in place. Few private clinics in the region offer this; our team will advise on the right location when you book.
And if patch testing isn't the most appropriate investigation for you, we'll say so openly at consultation and point you to what is.
Apex Medical
Consultant-Led
Testing You Can Trust.
WHICH TEST IS RIGHT?
The right test for the right allergy
Different allergy questions need different tests. Patch testing finds delayed contact allergies, the ones behind recurring dermatitis from things your skin touches. Prick testing investigates immediate allergies to airborne or food allergens. Blood tests measure specific antibody responses where indicated. Many patients need only one of these; some need a combination. Your consultant matches the investigation to your history rather than running everything by default, which is why the process starts with a consultation, not a test.
Consultant-led care
Led by consultants who specialise in contact allergy
Patch testing is not simply about a positive or negative result. Accurate diagnosis relies on careful interpretation: distinguishing true allergic reactions from irritation, and understanding how findings relate to your real-world exposure.
At Apex, patch testing is led by Dr Benjamin Chun-Man Lee, Consultant Dermatologist with specialist expertise in contact allergy and inflammatory skin disease, and Dr Sara Sherif, Consultant Dermatologist. Your results are interpreted by the consultant who knows your history, and explained in the context of your symptoms, lifestyle and skin.
At Apex, patch testing is led by Dr Benjamin Chun-Man Lee, Consultant Dermatologist with specialist expertise in contact allergy and inflammatory skin disease, and Dr Sara Sherif, Consultant Dermatologist. Your results are interpreted by the consultant who knows your history, and explained in the context of your symptoms, lifestyle and skin.
Your clinical team:
Dr Sara Sherif
Consultant Dermatologist
Diagnosis and management of all skin diseases, including acne, eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer.
Mr Benjamin Chun-Man Lee
Consultant Dermatologist
Diagnosis and management of all skin diseases, including acne, eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer.
Mr Kuen Yeow Chin
Consultant Plastic Surgeon & Skin Cancer Specialist
Founder of Apex and Skin Cancer Lead at Frimley Park, providing surgical care for skin lesions and skin cancer alongside our dermatologists.
YOUR CARE, STEP BY STEP
How your patch testing week works
Patch testing spans a single week: three short visits, each with a specific job, and results explained face to face at the end. Here's how the days fall.
1
Application (day one)
The test patches are applied to your back, and you'll get clear guidance on caring for the area while they're in place. The area must stay dry, so plan showers around it.
2
First reading (around day two)
The patches are removed and your skin is examined for early signs of reaction.
3
Final reading (several days later)
A further review identifies delayed responses, the defining feature of contact allergy, which is why the process spans 4 to 5 days rather than one visit.
4
Results, explained
Dr Lee or Dr Sherif interprets your results in the context of your symptoms and lifestyle: what you're allergic to, what to avoid, what's safe, and what happens next.
Transparent Pricing
Patch testing pricing
Consultation and Patch Testing (TRUE TEST® 36). Includes consultant assessment, application of the patch tests, scheduled readings, and interpretation of results. If further review or additional testing is required, this is discussed with you clearly and transparently.
Consultation and Patch Testing (TRUE TEST® 36)
Includes consultant assessment, application of the patch tests, scheduled readings, and interpretation of results. If further review or additional testing is required, this is discussed with you clearly and transparently. Your fee is confirmed when you book.
ONGOING CARE
After your results
A positive result comes with practical guidance: what the allergen is, where it hides (ingredient names to check, common products that contain it), and how to avoid it without upending your life. A negative result is genuinely useful too; it rules out contact allergy and redirects attention to the real cause, with your consultant guiding the next step. Either way, you leave with an answer and a plan, and ongoing dermatology care is available through our dermatology service if your condition needs longer-term management.
Where to find us
Two clinics, adults and children
Paediatric patch testing: Heatherwood Hospital, Brook Avenue, Ascot SL5 7GB.
Patients attend from across Berkshire and London, including Maidenhead, Windsor, Reading and Bracknell, and from Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire. We're open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm, Saturday by appointment only, and closed on Sunday. Call 020 3871 5898.
Patients attend from across Berkshire and London, including Maidenhead, Windsor, Reading and Bracknell, and from Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire. We're open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm, Saturday by appointment only, and closed on Sunday. Call 020 3871 5898.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about patch testing at Apex Medical
No. The test area must stay dry while the patches are in place. You'll be given clear instructions at your appointment, and most patients plan the week around it without much trouble.
Usually 4 to 5 days, covering application and the follow-up readings. Each visit is short; it's the intervals between them that do the diagnostic work.
No. Some mild itching or redness can occur if a reaction develops, which is the test doing its job.
No. You can self-refer directly, and same-week starts are often available.
Yes. Paediatric patch testing runs at our Heatherwood clinic, with adult testing at Berkshire Grove Hospital. Our team will advise on the right location when you book.
The TRUE TEST® 36 panel covers the most common contact allergens: metals such as nickel, fragrances, preservatives, rubber chemicals, and common skincare and haircare ingredients. If your history points to something outside the panel, your consultant will discuss extended testing.
That's still an answer. It rules out contact allergy as the driver and redirects investigation toward the real cause, which your consultant will explain and arrange.
Patch testing is a bundled service covering your consultation, the TRUE TEST® 36 application, all scheduled readings and the interpretation of your results, so there's one fee with no surprises. It's confirmed when you book, before you commit to anything.
Patient Stories.
In our patients' own words
FIND YOUR TRIGGER
No GP Referral Needed
Stop guessing. Start testing.
If your skin keeps reacting and you've never had a structured investigation of why, patch testing is very often the appointment that changes the pattern. One week of testing can end years of trial and error.
Consultant-led private skin, hands and aesthetic care across Berkshire. Precise, caring and expert.