PATCH TESTING

Irritant contact dermatitis is a skin irritation that occurs shortly after (within minutes or hours) of contact with a substance (for example- harsh skin care products, soaps, household cleaners). The main symptom is burning, stinging or pain.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a rash caused by an allergic reaction to a chemical that touches your skin. The rash typically develops days after contact with an allergen, not immediately, which makes it difficult to trace the source. Common contact allergens include ingredients in cosmetics (e.g. fragrances, preservatives), rubber, metals (most commonly nickel), plants, dyes and formaldehyde from clothing.

Once a diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis is made, Dr. Lazic will provide a personalized consultation, and schedule your patch test. With this type of allergy testing, Dr. Lazic can help determine what you are allergic to, so that you know what ingredients to avoid in products.

Patch testing is used to assess your skin’s reaction to a variety of substances with which you come in contact at home, at work, or during recreational activities. It involves applying a purified allergen to your skin to see if it causes an allergic reaction. Typically, 8 to 10 hypoallergenic stickers are placed on the back for about 48 hours, at which point they are removed and the back is marked with a surgical pen. Around 72-96 hours, results are analyzed. The back must remain dry throughout the testing process. There are no needles or “pricking” used in this form of allergy testing (note that patch testing is not the same as prick testing, which is a different type of allergy test used to diagnose hay fever or food allergies).

Once we’ve identified the cause of the allergic reaction, we provide you with the name of the ingredient, as well as any aliases that may be used by various manufacturers, so you know what to look for when shopping for new products. We also provide a customized list of products that are safe to use via the CAMP Program. www.contactdermatitisinstitute.com

The Contact Allergen Management Program (CAMP) will be available for you to access after your patch test. This is an exclusive program available only to patients of physicians who are members of the American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS). Dr. Lazic and her team will provide you with your unique CAMP access codes corresponding to your patch test results. These codes can then be entered into CAMP. A free app can also be downloaded for easy access to your safe list while shopping - link. This web-based resource is designed to help patients with allergic contact dermatitis find personal care products that are free of the ingredients that are causing their allergic reactions. Each safe list generated is personalized for each individual patient. The list is not exhaustive, but is an excellent starting point for patients to find products that will relieve their allergic reactions. The products included have been uploaded by CAMP administrators using information that is publicly available or voluntarily provided by personal care product companies who are committed to patient safety.