Skin allergy

The department offers patch testing for patients with suspected allergy to substances coming into contact with their skin (contact allergic dermatitis).

The department links with the paediatric allergy service and provides a joint paediatric / dermatology clinic for children with complex allergies (atopic eczema, asthma, rhinitis, urticaria), including skin prick testing, dietitian advice and adrenaline auto-injector training.

Information and about us

Patch testing involves placing suspected allergens (substances that people are frequently allergic to) in special discs onto an area of your back with sticky tape. The substances are removed after two days. After a further two days, a dermatologist will examine the area of skin to look for allergic reactions.

Further information about this is found here.

Contact us

If you want to get in touch with the department, please contact us on 01392 405510.

Where to find us

RD&E Heavitree, Gladstone Rd, Exeter EX1 2ED

Department of Dermatology

Specialist community dermatology services for the area are based at Tiverton, Exmouth, and Sidmouth. They can manage a wide range of dermatology conditions. The services are run by GPs who also work alongside us in the dermatology department at Heavitree.

We also run consultant led community services at Barnstaple, Tiverton and Axminster.

Meet the team

Clinical Lead

  • Dr Helen Frow

Dermatology

Consultants: 
  • Dr Peter Acheson
  • Dr Yusur Al-Nuami
  • Dr Rebecca Batchelor
  • Dr Chris Bower
  • Dr Alistair Brown
  • Dr Carolyn Charman
  • Dr Hannah Cookson
  • Dr Helen Frow - Clinical Lead
  • Dr Naomi Goldstraw
  • Dr Tom Lucke
  • Dr Emily McGrath
  • Dr Yong Oon
  • Dr Rachel Wachsmuth
  • Dr Penelope Williams

 

Associate Specialists

  • Dr William Willcock
  • Dr Josephine Wheeler

 

Specialty Doctors

  • Dr Charlotte Carmichael
  • Dr Helen Crighton
  • Dr James Wood
  • Dr Andrew Rosewarne
  • Dr Ayesha Shahid

 

Specialist Trainees

  • Dr John Frewen
  • Dr Catarina Quaresma

 

Dermatology pharmacist

Anh Nguyen

 

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Team

  • Claire Facey – Lead CNS
  • Jo Short
  • Kate Allington
  • Rebecca Willoughby
  • Kevin Mitchell

 

Nursing Staff and Health Care Assistants (HCA)

  • Ria Taylor - Matron for Dermatology
  • Tracey Alford – Clinical Nurse Manager
  • Clare Parkinson - Senior Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Claire McKenna - Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Grace Campbell - Sister
  • Laura Warne – Sister
  • Heather Bolt - Clinical nurse specialist
  • Sue Dyke - Clinical nurse specialist
  • Kyle Poblacion - Clinical nurse specialist
  • Hooi Inn Neoh-Solman - Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Victoria Roderick - Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Romina Abuzatoaiei - Staff Nurse
  • Sam Saupe - Staff nurse
  • Patricia Garcia Arroyo - Surgical Nurse Practitioner
  • Kim Hill - Staff Nurse
  • Jayde Butler - Assistant Practitioner
  • Reynaldo Almazora - Senior HCA
  • Myrna Base - Senior HCA
  • Mandy Spinks - Senior HCA
  • Jo Thompson - Senior HCA
  • Bev Alford - HCA
  • Jo Vincent Senior HCA
  • Neela Hilton - HCA
  • Julie Beecroft - HCA
  • Danielle Hickman – Biologics Coordinator

 

Management and Admin team

  • Rachel Brooks,  Cluster Support Manager
  • Shirley Rickard, Admin Service Manager
  • Katy Watson, Team Lead & Waiting List Coordinator
  • Karen Hill, Team Lead & Waiting List Coordinator
  • Zoe Connor - Slot Administrator
  • Anne Jones, Team Lead & Medical Secretary
  • Karen Baker, Team Lead & Medical Secretary
  • Julie Tonkins, Medical Secretary
  • Ellen Hunt, Medical Secretary
  • Zoe Tippett, Medical Secretary
  • Rita Moore, Booking Clerk
  • Donna Tregale - Reception 
  • Joh Ryder - Clerical officer

Services and treatments

The allergy service offers a variety of treatments, including topical steroids, topical immunomodulatory therapy (tacrolimus), antihistamines, montelukast, phototherapy, systemic tablet therapy (methotrexate, ciclosporin) and subcutaneous injection therapy (Omalizumab, Dupilimab).

Supporting you

Skin conditions can have a huge impact on your social and psychological wellbeing. It is important to tell your GP or dermatology doctor about this during your consultation if it is relevant for you so that we can signpost you for further help in this regard.

Locally, we work with Talkworks: www.dpt.nhs.uk/locations/talkworks-depression-and-anxiety-service-exeter

There are also links to support groups and resources for many skin conditions at the following website: www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk

Eczema outreach support: www.eos.org.uk

Patient information leaflets

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) have produced a number of patient information leaflets (PILs) to help you understand more about a particular skin condition.

They inform you what the condition is, what causes it, what can be done about it and where you can find out more information about it. Where possible, they advise you on what you can do yourself on a day-to-day basis to help with your skin condition. 

For accessibility queries related to different formats including large print, please visit the British Association of Dermatologists Skinhealth website.

Browse Patient Information Leaflets

Information for healthcare professionals

We have a dedicated section of the website for guidance, referral information and other useful information for Healthcare Professionals.

Find out more

Last updated: March 21, 2023

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