Seeking Patient Care?
Patch Test
Your dermatologist may recommend that you undergo a patch skin test, which places small amounts of allergens on your skin to see if there is a reaction. This helps us determine what caused contact dermatitis. We are trained to perform different types of Patch Test series according to each patient’s needs. Once the assessment is complete, our patients return to the referring physician with a full report of findings and instructions.
Who is a Candidate?
Following the appearance of an unknown rash, you should see your primary care physician or dermatologist for a thorough exam. Once your condition is diagnosed as contact dermatitis, your doctor can refer you to our clinic for patch testing.What to Expect
During a skin patch test, we tape sheets containing small amounts of common allergens to your skin, typically on your back. Then, we wait several days to see if a skin reaction develops from the patch. You must refrain from vigorous physical activity and from getting the allergy test area wet until you’ve completed the necessary series of clinic visits. You may be asked to visit the clinic up to three times during this process so our experts can monitor you for an allergic response.
When allergic reactions develop during testing, they appear as small, red, mildly itchy patches beneath the allergen sheets. This reveals which substances can trigger contact dermatitis or an allergy on your skin and the severity of this allergic reaction. Once the skin allergies assessment is complete, you can return to your referring physician with a full report of our findings and instructions.
Research
Research is an essential component of the Dr. Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery Contact Dermatitis, Environmental & Occupational Dermatology Clinic. Our clinic participates in an ongoing national multicenter study to identify the most common allergens causing allergic contact dermatitis in the pediatric population and skin of color patients. Dr. França has been an invited speaker at national and international conferences and is the co-author of publications on patch testing and contact dermatitis in Journals such as the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Current Dermatology Reports, and Wiener Medizinische Wochensschrift.
Katlein Franca M.D, Ph.D
Director
Associate Professor, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery