Patch Testing &
Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash caused by an allergic reaction to something that has come in contact with your skin. While the rash isn’t contagious or life-threatening, it can be uncomfortable and something you want to avoid in the future.

If you have repeated episodes of contact dermatitis, it may be time to get checked for skin allergies, which is done through patch testing. Patch testing is similar to skin prick or scratch testing that allergists use to diagnose systemic allergies. However, patch testing does not involve breaking the skin.

Instead, in patch testing, patches containing possible allergens are placed on the skin and kept there for approximately 2 days. Patches are then removed and re-evaluated after ~2 more days to evaluate for the presence of possible allergic reactions.

Some dermatologists offer a 35 patch test, but at Alabama Dermatology & Skin Specialists, we offer comprehensive patch testing, using up to 80 patches, which gives us a higher chance of discovering allergens causing your contact dermatitis.