Allergy Testing for Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis can be divided on into allergic or irritant contact dermatitis. The dermatologist can differentiate these types of dermatitis or eczema and minimize or eliminate the cause.

Reaction to nickel
in a bracelet

The cause of allergic contact dermatitis can often be identified with skin tests. For example, individuals may develop allergic sensitivity to nickel in jewelry, rubber in shoes, leather or latex in gloves, or fragrances in creams and lotions. These and many other chemical sensitivities can be identified using contact allergy testing, also called patch testing.

Many substances can produce a non-allergic rash called irritant contact dermatitis. Any person exposed to sufficiently high concentrations of these substances will develop dermatitis or eczema. Examples include the rash caused by harsh soaps and cleansers.

If you think you might have a contact dermatitis call for an appointment today.

Testing for presumed reactions to pollens, foods, and medications is performed with a different type of testing usually performed in an Allergy and Immunology Clinic.