Dr Wakelin’s area of special interest is in the diagnosis and management of allergic skin disease and she supervises a dedicated skin allergy clinic at St Mary’s Hospital.  

She carries out diagnostic patch testing and skin prick testing to find out if someone’s skin complaint is caused by a contact allergy i.e. an allergic reaction to a natural or chemical substance that comes into contact with the skin.  

The substances in our daily environment that most frequently cause contact allergy include fragrances, preservatives, hair dye, metals, rubber chemicals, plant extracts, and the ingredients in medicated and cosmetic creams.

Dr Wakelin advises

‘People with a delayed skin allergy – also known as allergic contact dermatitis – are often not aware of what is causing their rash as the allergy rash develops slowly over several hours or days. So it’s difficult to make the link.

When something stings or burns within a few minutes of being applied to the skin this usually indicates an irritation or intolerance (sensitive skin) rather than an allergy.’

Dr Wakelin is a member of the committee of the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy formerly known as the British Contact Dermatitis Group.

She regularly lectures on teaching courses and acts as an chairperson at the annual meeting of this special interest group which takes place at the British Association of Dermatologists Annual Meeting.

More information on individual allergens is available at these websites

www.cutaneonsallergy.org

www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/contact-allergy