(Identifying|Understanding|Learning|Finding Out the Many Causes of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis can be an extremely frustrating condition. From out of know where, you skin erupts into a swollen, itchy, and painful red rash. This happens because your skin has had direct contact with an allergen. Many people would state that one of the best ways of treating eczema is to prevent it from happening. You can prevent this eczema if you can avoid the allergen, but first you have to diagnose your specific allergen.

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 this kind of time or do not want to do a series of patch tests, then you can try to determine your allergen by yourself. It can be complicated. It will require patience, great observational skills, and good note taking abilities.

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 happens frequently if you are sensitive to nickel. This is a very common allergen. Nickel is frequently used to make jewelry, watches, and other accessories that touch your skin. If you normally have a rash on your ears, wrist, or neck then your very first suspect should be a nickel allergy.

You would be surprised how many common allergens you are exposed to each day. Skin care products, rubber, latex, hair dyes, and nail varnish are among the most common allergens. Some of the common allergens outdoors that are known to cause contact dermatitis include poison ivy and poison oak. The less common allergies tend to be found in the workplace. Wood workers, construction workers, welders, painters, nurses, and other people who are regularly exposed to chemicals in the workplace may find one or more allergens there. This is a condition called occupational contact dermatitis and you will need the help of your employer to identify and limit this type of contact.

Determining the cause of your eczema is the most important step in treating your allergic contact dermatitis. This will help you avoid exposure, control your condition, and actually prevent eczema. The sooner you can identify your allergens, the sooner you can stop your suffering.

To find out more about Eczema and treatment for Eczema, check out Blake Helton’s articles on the above mentioned links.