Dermatitis Testing

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a skin condition that can occur as a result of allergies, asthma, or hay fever. In some cases, atopic dermatitis can be hereditary.

Patients with allergic contact dermatitis develop red, itchy patches on the skin when exposed to an allergen. Unlike similar skin conditions, contact dermatitis is not hereditary.

Dermatitis Testing at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia

During your initial consultation, one of the board certified allergy specialists at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia will first review your medical history and conduct a thorough examination of your skin.

To test for contact dermatitis, one of our Atlanta allergy doctors may recommend a patch test. During this test, your allergist will apply a variety of possible allergens to your skin, typically on the upper back, under an adhesive covering.

After two days, you will return to our office, and your allergy specialist will remove the patches and examine the results. Since some patients experience a delayed allergic reaction, the skin should be examined again several days later.

What Common Allergens Are Tested?

There is a standard battery of common allergens that could cause contact dermatitis, which includes:

While most of these substances may seem unfamiliar, they are common ingredients in everyday items such as clothing, ointments, lotions, and perfumes. If your Atlanta allergy doctor suspects that another allergen may be the cause of your contact dermatitis, he or she may add in other skin patches.

Contact the Allergy Specialists at the Center for Allergy and Asthma

Call the board certified allergists at the Center for Allergy and Asthma in Atlanta at (770) 459-0620 to find out if you are suffering from contact dermatitis. Patients can make appointments at any of our convenient metro Atlanta offices in Carrollton, Hiram, Griffin, Villa Rica, Newnan, Smyrna/Vinings, Peachtree City/Fayetteville, Acworth/Kennesaw, and Douglasville Georgia.