We are a team of staff providing a comprehensive assessment and management of patients with Contact Dermatitis. We are a large unit with more than 500 patients referred to us each year.
Contact Dermatitis Unit
About us
What is contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation which is caused by contact with something in the environment. This can be either an irritant (a substance that damages the skin directly), or an allergen (a substance that can cause the skin to react abnormally), which can be encountered at home or at work. Symptoms of contact dermatitis can be either immediate or delayed.
How will it be diagnosed?
The team will carefully assess your history and arrange for the most appropriate test(s), usually in the form of patch testing especially if allergy is thought to be the cause of your contact dermatitis. Patients will be tested to a range of allergens as well as their own relevant products.
How do I get referred?
Patients who come to our unit are usually referred after they have been seen by a dermatologist. Therefore you will need to see your GP in the first instance and if appropriate, your GP will refer you to the dermatology department. However, fast track “one-stop appointments” in our unit are also available for straightforward cases referred directly from general practice, occupational health or other departments such as oral medicine, orthopaedics, etc.
Our location
The unit is based at Ninewells Hospital Dermatology Department on level 8.
What to expect when you come to the unit?
This patient information leaflet will give you all the necessary information about what to expect if you are coming to the unit for patch testing:
If you require other forms of testing, you will be given the relevant information separately.
All patients with proven contact allergies will be advised appropriately on how to avoid allergens and provided with written information leaflets by the team. Patients will also be advised on how to manage their contact dermatitis in general. Patients with difficult or multiple contact allergies may also be offered follow up in a special follow up clinic in addition to their routine follow up in a general dermatology clinic.
Useful links
For information on contact allergens:
For other information:
