Dr Sarah Wakelin
Consultant Dermatologist
About Sarah Wakelin
Specialty: Consultant Dermatologist, with specialist interest in medical dermatology including skin allergies and eczema
Conditions seen: allergic contact dermatitis and contact allergy, eczema and dermatitis, facial rashes, body skin problems and rashes, delayed allergy to drugs, occupational skin disease, acne, warts, moles, skin lumps and bumps
Tests, treatments and procedures: skin allergy patch testing (adults and children aged 14 and over), skin prick testing to airborne allergens, dermoscopy, mole checks and mole mapping, skin biopsy including punch biopsy and shave biopsy, benign skin lesion surgery, excision of a skin lesion, cryotherapy for skin lesions, curettage and cautery of lesions
Often consulted by patients with: an unexplained or suspected allergic rash, eczema needing specialist assessment, or a skin reaction thought to be caused by a medication, cosmetic or workplace substance
Patient ages seen: 14+
Also: honorary consultant at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, where she led the Cutaneous Allergy service from 1999 to 2025; regional representative for the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy; former President of the St John's Dermatological Society; past member of the British Association of Dermatologists' Therapeutics and Guidelines committee; author and editor of Your Guide to Eczema, A Colour Handbook of Dermatology and the Handbook of Systemic Drug Treatment in Dermatology; dermatology expert witness for medicolegal claims (solicitor instruction required)
Language: English
Dr Sarah Wakelin is a Consultant Dermatologist at Welbeck’s Dermatology centre in London, specialising in medical dermatology, particularly skin allergies and eczema. She has extensive experience in investigating unexplained or suspected allergic rashes and skin reactions caused by medicines, cosmetics or substances encountered at work.
Dr Wakelin offers skin allergy patch testing, as well as skin prick testing for airborne allergens. Her wider dermatology practice includes mole checks, dermoscopy and skin biopsy, alongside skin surgery for benign skin lesions.
Alongside her Welbeck practice, Dr Wakelin is an honorary consultant at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, where she led the Cutaneous Allergy service from 1999 to 2025. She is a regional representative for the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy and lectures regularly at educational updates. She has also served on the Therapeutics and Guidelines Committee of the British Association of Dermatologists and is a former President of the St John’s Dermatological Society.
Dr Wakelin has written and edited extensively in dermatology, including Your Guide to Eczema and A Colour Handbook of Dermatology. She devised and edits the internationally published Handbook of Systemic Drug Treatment in Dermatology and has also advised pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic companies. In addition to her clinical work, she also acts as a dermatology expert witness for medicolegal claims.
Expertise
- Skin Contact Allergies
- Facial Rashes
- Medical Dermatology
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
- Acne
- Benign Skin Lesion Surgery
- Mole Checks and Mole Mapping
- Dermoscopy
- Skin Biopsy
- Patch Testing
- Delayed Allergy to Drugs
Overview
- Age of patients seen
- 14+
- Qualifications
Dr Sarah Wakelin qualified in medicine at King's College, London in 1988 and spent three years working in general medicine before specialising in dermatology, completing higher specialist training in dermatology in 1998. She gained further experience as Senior Registrar at the Institute of Dermatology, St John's Hospital in London, where she developed her expertise in allergic skin diseases within the Contact Dermatitis and Occupational Skin Disease Department. She also holds a first degree in pharmacology.
Qualifications:
BSc Pharmacology
MBBP
MRCP
FRCP
- Languages spoken
- English
- Research highlights
Dr Wakelin has authored and co-authored many articles, texts and journals. She edits the Handbook of Systemic Drug Treatment in Dermatology, which she devised and which is published globally, and is the author of A Colour Handbook of Dermatology and of Your Guide to Eczema. She contributed the chapter on seborrhoeic dermatitis to the ninth edition of Rook's Textbook of Dermatology. She lectures regularly at educational updates and has acted as an adviser for pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic companies.
Key publications:
Editor, Handbook of Systemic Drug Treatment in Dermatology
Author, A Colour Handbook of Dermatology
Author, Your Guide to Eczema
Chapter author, "Seborrhoeic dermatitis", Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, 9th edition
- Professional memberships
British Association of Dermatologists
British Society for Cutaneous Allergy
European Society of Contact Dermatitis
Royal College of Physicians
- Certifications and Awards
President of St John’s Dermatological Society 2004-5
Insurers covered
Tests & treatments
Locations
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Frequently asked questions
Patch testing is a diagnostic procedure where small amounts of common allergens are applied to the skin under adhesive patches, usually on the back, and left for 48 hours before being read. Dr Wakelin is a recognised specialist in cutaneous allergy and contact dermatitis, with extensive experience diagnosing delayed allergies to metals, fragrances, preservatives, and other everyday substances. This testing can pinpoint the exact cause of persistent eczema or dermatitis that has not responded to standard treatments.
Yes. Dr Wakelin has a specialist interest in delayed drug and vaccine allergies and their skin manifestations. She can carry out a thorough clinical assessment, arrange patch testing where appropriate, and advise on safe alternative medications. Her background in pharmacology and decades of NHS dermatology experience make her well placed to manage complex drug allergy cases.
Yes. Facial hyperpigmentation can have many causes, including sun damage, melasma, and post-inflammatory changes. Dr Wakelin sees patients with skin pigment disorders and can carry out a detailed assessment using dermoscopy to determine the underlying cause. She will then recommend a tailored treatment plan, which may include topical therapies or procedural options, based on skin type and condition.
Dr Wakelin offers full-body 360-degree mole mapping which uses advanced imaging to record and monitor moles over time. This is particularly recommended if you have a large number of moles, a family history of melanoma, or have noticed a mole that has changed in size, shape, or colour. Any suspicious moles can be examined with dermoscopy and biopsied or excised on the same visit if needed.
Eczema is a broad term for inflamed, itchy skin, while contact dermatitis is a specific type triggered by direct contact with an allergen or irritant. Dr Wakelin uses a combination of detailed clinical history, skin examination, and patch testing to identify whether a contact allergen is responsible for symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is important because contact dermatitis can often be resolved completely once the trigger substance is identified and avoided.