Dermatologists at Massachusetts General Hospital's Contact Dermatitis & Occupational Dermatology Clinic specialize in diagnosing and treating even the most difficult-to-diagnose cases of dermatitis in both adults and children.
Most of our patients are referred to us by their primary care physicians or dermatologists. In about 70 percent of cases, we are able to pinpoint the relevant allergen(s).
Once their assessment is complete, our patients return to their referring physician with a full report of findings and recommendations. Our patch tests are designed to ensure the physician has the answers he or she needs to proceed with treatment or, if needed, further testing.
The Clinic That Dermatologists Trust
Over the past three decades, our clinic has earned a sterling reputation among dermatologists from all over the Greater Boston area. We see roughly 40 patients for specialty testing every month referred from physicians within New England.
In addition, we offer one of the country's widest arrays of specialty patch tests, each tailored to the individual needs of the patient.
What to Expect
All patients must be referred to our clinic by a physician. We schedule visits for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A complete assessment requires that patients attend the clinic all three days in the same week. It is common to expect some mild itching from the test on the upper back. Restrictions include heavy lifting and vigorous physical activity. In addition, the patient should refrain from getting the back wet until the patch test series of visits is completed.
During the first visit, one of our physicians conducts a 30-minute interview with the patient. We discuss the patient's type of work and medical history to uncover possible origins of the problem so that we can tailor the patch test accordingly. We also ask the patient to bring along all of the products they use on their skin in the original packaging and review these at the initial visit. After this discussion, the individualized tests are prepared and applied to the patient’s back. This process takes an additional 30–60 minutes.
On the second visit, we remove all tests and mark the patient’s back with a marker. On Friday, the patient returns to the clinic and the final reading of the test is performed. With these results, we discuss the test results in detail, providing both information about the allergens and products to avoid. We also provide a list of topical products that should be safe for the patient to use.
Contact Us
Contact Dermatitis & Occupational Dermatology Clinic
Massachusetts General Hospital
50 Staniford Street, Suite 200
Boston, MA 02114
617-726-2914