A drug allergy is an allergic reaction to medication that occurs when the immune system is incorrectly activated by a drug. Vaccine allergy is very rare. It is usually caused by allergy to an excipient in the vaccine, rather than the active ingredient.

Excess shedding is often referred to as telogen effluvium and can be a result of general health issues and stress.

Hyperhidrosis is sweating when your body does not need to cool down. It usually affects body sites with the most sweat glands, such as the armpits, palms, soles and head and neck area.

The severity of insect venom allergy varies from person to person but can range from localised or mild, to life-threatening.

Urticaria (also called “nettle rash” or “hives”) is common and affects 20% of people at some point in their lives. The most common form is called spontaneous urticaria. Spontaneous urticaria is divided into “acute” and “chronic” forms dependent upon whether the episode lasts less than or greater than 6 weeks.

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is an uncommon, potentially-serious condition in which anaphylaxis occurs during or after physical activity.

Flushing and blushing are common skin responses to heat and emotion.

Our experienced dermatologists who have a special interest in female genital dermatoses will diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate treatment. Sometimes a skin swab and occasionally a skin biopsy may be recommended to clarify the diagnosis.

A food allergy is an abnormal immune reaction to food. It can present as hives and skin swelling; difficulties breathing; vomiting, diarrhoea; dizziness/collapse. In some people, food allergy causes a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Tinea capitis, or ringworm, is a contagious fungal infection that affects the scalp causing flaking hair loss and sometimes pus, spots and swellings.

If you notice something that is raised from your skin surface and is well defined, then these are often referred to as lumps and bumps. These are common on our skin at all ages.

A lipoma is a lump under the skin that occurs due to an overgrowth of fat cells and slowly grows under the skin in the subcutaneous tissue.

Skin cancer consists of a malignant growth, which usually develops in the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis, meaning that a tumour is generally clearly visible. Skin cancer rarely spreads beyond the skin, apart from malignant melanoma.

Epidermoid and pilar cysts are commonly referred to as ‘sebaceous cysts’. These are smooth round lumps which you can see and feel just beneath the skin surface.

Rosacea is a common long-term skin condition that causes redness on the nose, chin, cheeks and forehead.