Department of Dermatology Contact Dermatitis Clinic Phone: 617-636-0156 Fax: 617-636-9169 Patch Test Guide One month prior to patch testing 1. Do NT get any more steroid injections or start any new pills to treat your rash (antihistamines and steroid injections for your joints if needed are okay).

Two weeks prior to patch testing 1. Do NOT tan and please try to minimize your sun exposure. Tanning and excessive sun exposure can interfere with the results of patch testing. 2. Complete your Patch Test Patient Form and fax or email it to our office. 3. Please have the following results sent to our office: A) previous patch tests B) other allergy tests and/or C) skin biopsies done outside of Tufts Medical.

One week prior to patch testing 1. Stop using topical steroids on your skin. Please do not take any more oral steroids unless specifically instructed by the doctor who will be patch testing you. 2. IF YOUR SKIN IS VERY “RASHY,” PLEASE CALL US. Your skin, especially your back, MUST be free of rash in order to be patch tested. 3. Begin gathering personal products (for example: makeup, lotion, gloves, clothing, shoes) that you think may be causing your rash.

First day of patch testing 1. You may shower before the test, but please DO NOT apply anything to your skin after showering. 2. Please bring: a. Copy of your completed Patch Test Patient Form b. Copy of your outside patch test and biopsy results if applicable c. Your personal products and/or Material Safety Data Sheets. 3. Please wear loose fitting clothing. 4. If you have a hairy back, please DO NOT trim it. We will do this in the office.

The week of patch testing (Monday and Wednesday office visits) ✖ DO NOT take any oral steroids (unless specifically instructed). ✖ DO NOT use any topical medicines or lotions on the skin being tested. ✖ DO NOT exercise, or do any heavy lifting/strenuous work that may cause you to sweat, move the patches, or smear the markings placed on your back. ✖ DO NOT shower, swim, or get your back wet in any way. Sponge bathing and washing your hair in the sink are okay. ✔ The tape and positive patch test reactions can cause itching. You MAY take antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin (loratidine), etc. to help with itching. ✔ If one patch is severely itchy or painful, please call us. If we are unavailable, please have someone remove that one patch while leaving the others in place. ✔ Try to sleep on your stomach or your side. ✔ Continue to wear loose fitting clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. ✔ If the tape begins to come off, you may apply more tape. ✔ If the markings begin to fade, please redraw them (with permanent or skin marker). ✔ On the last day of patch testing: Please bring your personal products again.

After patch testing 1. Please call us if you develop delayed or persistent patch test reactions. 2. A detailed letter will be sent to your referring provider regarding your results.