Comprehensive patch testing 

If you have a rash that keeps coming back, you may be reacting to something that touches your skin. Comprehensive patch testing helps identify the cause of irritation so you can avoid it in the future. VCU Health is one of the only academic centers in Virginia offering this level of patch testing for both adults and children, with testing panels that check up to 150 different substances. That means you can get answers you may not find elsewhere.

Call 804-560-8919 for an appointment  

Allergy patch testing 

Patch testing is a type of allergy testing that’s performed on the skin. Instead of checking for environmental allergens such as pollen, pets or food allergies, this kind of test looks to see if you have allergies to things that touch your skin every day — such as metals in jewelry, fragrances in shampoo and preservatives in lotions.  

JiaDe (Jeff) Yu, M.D., dermatologist and chair of VCU Health Dermatology, leads our comprehensive patch testing services. Dr. Yu is president of the American Contact Dermatitis Society and a national leader in allergic skin diseases. He is an expert in understanding how allergic rashes develop. He is also a member of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, a group of 12 leading experts in North America conducting comprehensive patch testing.  

How allergy patch testing works 

We provide safe, needle‑free patch testing for both adults and children. During patch testing, we place small amounts of different substances on your back with stickers. You wear the stickers for 48 hours, then return to the clinic for our nurses to remove the patches. After your skin is exposed to the allergens for 96-120 hours, our specialist will read the reactions on your back to see which ones caused a reaction. These findings help diagnose allergic contact dermatitis and guide treatment. 

Conditions we diagnose with patch testing 

Patch testing can help us diagnose conditions, such as:  

• Allergic contact dermatitis 
• Underlying causes for some cases of eczema 
• Rashes that don’t improve with treatment 
• Skin reactions linked to products or personal care items 
• Unexplained long-term itching or redness 

Some of the substances that may cause allergies include:  

• Adhesives 
• Fragrances 
• Hair and skin care products 
• Household or workplace products 
• Metals in jewelry 
• Sunscreens 
• Rubber materials 
• Occupational exposures 

Once we’ve identified your triggers, we can give you guidance on how to avoid them — helping your skin heal and reducing flares. 

Our specialists 

You’ll receive expert care from Dr. Yu and others on his team. Dr. Yu is a dual board-certified dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist.