Patch Testing For Skin Allergies

 One of the most common skin conditions that the Riverdale location of The Dermatology Group treats is contact dermatitis.  Sometimes, when a substance comes in contact with skin and it causes the skin to become irritated or inflamed, the reason is that the patient is experiencing “Contact Dermatitis.”  There are two types of Contact Dermatitis – irritant contact dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis.  The difference is that true allergic reactions involve the immune system, and irritants do not.

 Patch testing is a way of identifying precisely which substances are causing the inflammation.  Patch testing is a painless procedure and can help differentiate between irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, as well as tell us valuable information about what is causing the reaction.  The test involves the application of various test substances to the skin under adhesive tape that are then left in place until the patient’s subsequent visit.

The skin is then examined for any response. From this, we can determine exactly which allergens you are allergic to and identify those that could be aggravating your dermatitis. We can then advise how you can avoid the allergens.  In many cases, the treatment plans can be complicated; oftentimes the allergen is a specific ingredient that can be found in several items – some of which are not always obvious.  I recently had a patient whose patch testing revealed a high sensitivity to Balsam of Peru.  Sounds easy to avoid, right?  Believe it or not, Balsam of Peru can be found in many household products, including Anbusol, several spices, and even in Dr. Pepper soda.

If you have a chronic skin irritation, or persistent eczema, you may you have an allergic contact dermatitis.  Patch testing is the only way that your doctor can prove that a substance is causing or aggravating your dermatitis. Once an allergen is identified, avoiding it should help cure alleviate your dermatitis.

 Many factors go into successful Patch Testing procedures; in fact, we routinely get referrals from Allergists who prefer that their patients be tested by Dermatologists who are expert in this complex sub-specialty. 

 Before we begin testing, we discuss many specifics with the patient, including: location of the rash, treatment history, medical history, products routinely used, occupation, family history, and  other known allergies.