Dermatology

Contact dermatitis consultation

Contact dermatitis develops when skin reacts to an irritant or allergen. Good management begins with the exposure story—work, hobbies, washing, cosmetics, jewellery and products used on the affected area.

What we cover

A consultation about a mild hand rash and possible contact triggers

Assessment-led

Appointment30 min

ClinicsLetterbox + Belsize

StandardTriage + safety netting

What we cover

A clearer picture before any recommendation.

Timing, body site and relationship to work, wet work, products, gloves, metals or plants.

Skin-barrier routine, trigger avoidance, topical treatment and improvement away from exposure.

Persistent or severe disease, occupational causes and whether specialist patch testing may help.

Where this care sits

Start in the right place.

Usual care pathway

Managed with trigger avoidance, emollient care and appropriate topical treatment. Refer if persistent, severe, occupationally significant or when the responsible allergen cannot be identified.

Do not wait for a routine appointment

Rapid worsening, discharge, increasing pain, fever or feeling unwell can indicate infection and needs prompt medical advice.

The Pharmacillin view

The right plan starts with understanding what matters—and knowing when not to treat.

Images are illustrative and show the area or consultation experience. They are not patient outcomes or promises of a particular result.

Your consultation

Three considered steps.

An unrushed structure gives you the information and space needed to make an informed choice.

History

We map when the concern began, how it has changed, associated symptoms, triggers and treatments already tried.

Skin assessment

The presentation, distribution and relevant health factors are reviewed, including whether the diagnosis remains uncertain.

Right pathway

You leave with a clear primary-care plan, safety-net advice or onward referral when specialist assessment is more appropriate.

Important considerations

Suitability comes first.

Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis can look similar but have different exposure patterns.
Frequent hand washing and wet work are common contributors to irritant dermatitis.
Patch testing is a specialist investigation and is different from immediate allergy testing.

After your appointment

Clear care beyond the clinic.

Follow the written skin-care or medicine guidance agreed during the consultation.
Know which changes mean you should seek earlier clinical review.
Persistent, worsening or uncertain symptoms are escalated to the appropriate service.

Checked against UK guidance

Read the authoritative source.

This page supports a consultation; it cannot diagnose a rash or replace individual medical advice. Guidance can change, so the source page is the best place to check the latest version.

NHSContact dermatitis