Diagnosing the Cause of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is a frustrating condition. Seemingly out of no where, your skin erupts into a painful, swollen, and itchy red rash. This form of eczema happens when you come into direct contact with a specific allergen. Almost everyone would agree one of the best ways of treating eczema is to prevent it from happening. Prevention can be as simple as avoiding the allergen, but first you have to diagnose your specific allergens.
It is important to remember when diagnosing the condition that it is not an immediate reaction. There are other types of skin rashes that occur almost immediately after coming into contact. Likewise, they begin to improve soon after the allergen is removed. Allergic contact dermatitis can take up to 48 to 72 hours before a reaction can be visible on the skin. The eczema also takes longer to heal. This delayed reaction is why it makes it more difficult to diagnose the specific allergen causing the eczema.
This is why many doctors and eczema experts use patch testing to identify allergens. Patch testing takes in account the delayed and prolonged nature of this type of eczema. In patch testing, low dose strips of specific allergens are attached to the skin for at least two days. If a reaction occurs, especially a red and inflamed spot, then this can be considered one of your allergens. Unfortunately, it will take some time to test for the most common allergens. Also, you may have an uncommon allergy and it will take more time to identify it.
If you do not have the time or inclination for a series of patch tests, you can try to identify your allergen on your own. It is not an impossible task. However, it will take some patience, good note taking, and great observational skills.
The best place to start when identifying your allergen is to chronicle the location of the eczema. Contact dermatitis, as the name implies, happens where the allergen contacts the skin. Therefore, if you continually get eczema in one spot then you must make a journal of what regularly touches your skin in that location. If there is only one item, then you have identified your allergen. If there is more than one item, then you can use the process of elimination by avoiding all but one allergen for at least 2 weeks. If you have no reaction to that allergen, then expose yourself to one additional allergen for the next 2 weeks. Continue this test until you have a reaction and are able to determine the cause.
This type of reaction is very common when you are sensitive to nickel. Many people are allergic to nickel. Unfortunately, nickel is a common material used in jewelry, watches, and other accessories that regularly come into contact with your skin. If you find that you have a regular rash on your ears, wrist, or neck then a nickel allergy should be your chief suspect.
Some of the other more common culprits for allergic contact dermatitis are items that are around you everyday. Skin care products, rubber and latex, hair dyes, and nail varnish are classic allergens. When you are outside, poison oak and poison ivy are known to cause contact dermatitis. The more uncommon allergies tend to be found in the workplace. Nurses, wood workers, construction workers, welders, painters, and other people who work around unusual chemicals often find that they have an allergy to one or more substances at work. This is called occupational contact dermatitis. You may need your employer to help you identify and control this type of exposure.
Identifying your allergens is the most important step in treating your allergic contract dermatitis. It will help you avoid exposure, control your condition, and actually prevent recurrences. The sooner you diagnose your allergens the sooner you can stop suffering from your eczema.
To can read more about treating allergic contact dermatitis here: Contact Dermatitis Treatment To find more natural treatment options for eczema, click here: Treating Eczema