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Services• Patch testing
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| Example of patch testing |
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Patch testing
What is patch testing?Patch testing is a process used to detect whether someone has allergic contact dermatitis to something they contact at work or home. During patch testing, small amounts of chemicals or things that are used at work or home are diluted and placed onto discs mounted on hypoallergenic tape and then placed on the back.
Example of patch testing
How many patches?
The number of patches applied is specific to each individual. There are 10 discs on each patch and those attending our clinic often have approximately 7-10 patches or sometimes more placed on their back.
Why my back?
The back is used for patch testing because it has lots of room to put the patches. This also gives people the opportunity to have a bath, as the patches must be kept dry during the testing. Showers must be avoided for the length of the testing (Monday through to Friday after final appointment).
Preparation for testing
Shower the morning of the tests, as you cannot get your back wet from the time the patches go on until the time you see the dermatologist for your third appointment.
During testing, sweating must be avoided, as patches could sometimes fall off. So if you are working in a job where you get hot and sweaty, please call us for advice. Physical activity or playing sports during testing is also strongly discouraged.
Do not get your back exposed to sunlight for 5 days prior to testing. It is suggested that sunlight before testing may reduce the immune response in the skin.
Do not put any creams or oils on your back the morning of the testing.
If your doctor has given you cortisone or prednisolone tablets for your skin condition please call us for advice. Generally prednisolone/cortisone tablets should not be taken 48 hours before testing.
Men with hair on their backs should shave or wax it off a day or two before testing (do not use chemical hair removal products).
What to bring to the appointment?
Bring everything which is in contact with your damaged skin.
Things you might bring include:
- Products used on your skin (bring it in its original container), even if you don't think it is causing any problems e.g. moisturisers, hand cleansers etc
- Products specific to the area of skin affected e.g. Gloves if you have hand dermatitis, or shoes and socks if your feet are affected.
- Work samples - either bring them in their container if not too big, or put a small sample amount into individual screw top glass containers and label well.
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all products and chemicals you come into contact with in the workplace. You should be able to get these from your OHS representative, union official, supervisor or employer. It is compulsory for the workplace to provide these.
Most patients have to attend 3 appointments over a 5 day period.
Appointment 1 (Monday morning): Patients will have a consultation with the specialist dermatologist, who will decide what needs to be tested. The clinic nurse will then make the patches up and stick them on to the back. This appointment may take up to 2 hours.
Appointment 2 (Wednesday morning): The patches are removed and the back will be looked at to see if there have been any allergic reactions or 'red spots' showing up where the patches were. This appointment may take up to 1 ½ hours.
Appointment 3 (Friday afternoon): The dermatologist will have another look at the back to see if there has been any other 'red spots' show up where the patches were. The dermatologist will then discuss results, management of your condition and skincare. You will need to allow 1 ½ hours for this appointment.
What does an allergic reaction look like?
Once the patches are taken off, the dermatologist looks for any red raised spots that may have appeared. These are normally smaller than a 5 cent coin and appear where the discs were placed. Sometimes people find these to be itchy.
Example of positive patch test reactions
If this testing is negative, it may suggest that you have a different skin condition such as irritant contact dermatitis, eczema or contact urticaria (another form of testing known as prick testing or a blood test is used to diagnose this condition).
How much will patch testing cost?
The cost of the consultations and patch testing is usually between $400-$550, approximately half of which can be claimed back from Medicare (or the full amount by WorkCover if appropriate).
WorkCover Claims- Please bring claim details. If your skin condition is considered to be work-related an account can be sent to your employer. Please bring your employers mailing address details with you.
Pension cardholders- Pension card holders are bulk billed on presentation of pension and Medicare cards.
Healthcare cardholders- Upon presentation of Healthcare and Medicare cards, patients will be charged the set government scheduled fee (approximately 85% can be claimed back on Medicare).
When do I pay?
Payment in full is required at your final appointment.
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Consultancy services
ODREC offers a range of consultancy services to industry including:- Investigation of skin problems in individuals and groups of workers
- Training and advice on skin management in the workplace
- Advice on Return-To-Work options
- Aircraft manufacture
- Food processing
- General manufacturing
- Mining
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Workplaces interested in any of the above services, please complete the Expression of interest form or phone 03 9623 9430 or 03 9623 9402. Once this form has been received, a member of the team will be in contact with you.
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Medico-legal assessments
Dr Rosemary Nixon is the only person with Australian qualifications in both dermatology and occupational medicine. As a result, her expertise is often required for medico-legal assessments of occupational skin disease. For more information ph. 03 9623 9402.
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Skin School - An education service
'Skin School' will be the first Australian program designed to educate workers who have been diagnosed with occupational contact dermatitis, from large, medium and small businesses. It is extremely important that people with occupational contact dermatitis have appropriate education about the management of their skin condition in order to reduce the severity of their condition and prevent flare-ups. This in turn reduces the amount of time away from work and the need for job change, as well as reduction of the appreciable impact on their quality of life.
Skin School will educate on the use of skin care and personal protective equipment and raises awareness about management strategies for occupational contact dermatitis.
The concept of 'Skin School' has been pioneered in Germany, where there have been great advances in the rehabilitation of workers with occupational dermatitis.
'Skin School' will use a combination of educational tools including a DVD for patients, in-person education sessions, an employer/workplace booklet and worker information booklet.
To find out more about Skin School, or to participate in the Skin School program email: admin@occderm.asn.au or phone 03 9623 9402.
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Contact Allergen Bank Australia: A mail-out patch testing service for dermatologists
Contact Allergen Bank Australia (CABA) is based on an idea which originated in Denmark and is a new initiative in Australia to assist dermatologists to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). It involves the preparation of individualised patch tests which are sent out to dermatologists' practices.Project aims:
- To provide Australian dermatologists, particularly those in regional centres, with access to comprehensive patch testing resources, available in a timely manner
- To improve the prognosis of patients with contact dermatitis, with the identification of allergens relevant to their skin condition
- To collect data on the results of patch testing nationally
- To enable dermatologists to develop experience and expertise in contact dermatitis, without the costs of purchasing allergens or paying for nursing staff
Any questions or to Register for CABA, please ph. 03 9623 9402 or email apalmer@occderm.asn.au