Resource

Understanding Your Patch Test Results

Got a list of positives from patch testing? Here's how to read it, what the allergens mean for everyday shopping, and what to ask.

What the results tell you

Patch testing gives you a list of substances your skin reacted to (positives). Each positive is something to avoid touching. Your clinician should explain which are relevant to your actual symptoms, since not every positive is causing your current problem.

From allergen names to everyday products

The tricky part is that an allergen has many aliases and hides in many products. “Fragrance mix” means dozens of scent chemicals; a preservative may appear under several names. Ask your clinician (or an information sheet) for:

Putting it into practice

Avoiding an allergen means checking it on every label, every time, which is where a saved list helps enormously.

Reading a label by eye, or using a free ingredient-checker, will tell you what is in a product. What it will not do is check it against the specific ingredients you react to.

To close that gap, a personal-list app like ClearaScan lets you save the ingredients you react to once and scan any product to flag only your triggers. It also keeps a Reaction Journal for flare-ups, a shared Care Circle so family or carers can scan for you, and a Trusted Products list for items you have cleared, and it is currently in early access. (Disclosure: our editor co-founded ClearaScan, and we are not paid to mention the others.)

More dermatology resources

What Is Patch Testing? A Plain-English Guide

Patch testing is how dermatologists identify what your skin is allergic to. Here's what it involves, what it can find, and how to prepare.

What to Expect at a Dermatology Appointment

Knowing how a dermatology appointment usually runs helps you prepare and get more from it. Here's a plain-English walkthrough.

Allergy and Eczema Support Organisations Worth Knowing

Reliable charities and patient organisations offer free, trustworthy information on eczema, allergies and sensitive skin. Here's how to find them.

How to Get a Dermatology Referral

Not sure how to actually see a dermatologist? Here's how referrals usually work, how to make your case, and the private option.

A note on this content. The Sensitive Skin Lab publishes general educational information, not medical advice. If you suspect you have an allergy or sensitivity, consult a qualified dermatologist or allergist. Product formulations and labels change without notice, so always check the ingredients on the product itself.