Patch Testing for Skin Allergies - The Skin Inflammation Test

Many of us are aware about the allergens that cause sneezing or irritation or any form of reaction. They may be dust, pollens, a scent or just about any object. Sometimes, these allergies may form a reaction on the skin, like blisters, rashes, redness or swelling and one needs to know what causes these inflammations. Patch testing is a kind of skin test for allergy to identify whether a particular substance coming in contact with the skin, can cause irritation or inflammation.

Patch testing - the allergen skin test - is also known as contact dermatitis and is categorized into irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis happens when an allergen or irritant substance is in contact in sufficiently high concentration for a long time. It happens due to direct contact with the skin and does not involve the immune system. Allergic contact dermatitis includes an allergen specific to an individual. Allergy is hypersensitivity to a specific substance and includes the immune system. Avoidance of contact with the allergen will make the rash on the skin disappear.

This allergy testing helps to differentiate between the kinds of contact dermatitis. The test includes applying of various test substances to the skin for 48 hours with the help of an adhesive tape and then examined for an allergic response. This helps to determine which allergens develop specific reactions and aggravate dermatitis. This skin test for allergy helps to decide which allergens are harmful and should be avoided.

Patch testing is generally done if one suffers from recent dermatitis or unusual eczema. Usage of medication on face, hands, legs, anal or genital region preceding the development of dermatitis leads to the suspicion of that particular medication aggravating the condition. Patch testing is the only way one can determine the specific substance that causes the aggravation and then one can start avoiding contact with it.

If the patch testing results are positive, one should collect information about the source of allergen and start avoiding it religiously. One should also lookout if any other product contains the same source or ingredients and start using the substitutes not containing allergens. One may also use barrier creams and protective clothing.

The latest medical news was a research exposing the increase in the number of allergic contact dermatitis. The reason stated behind it is the cosmetic allergens. There has also been news in the patch-testing field of the development of a revolutionary skin patch by French inventors that can cure people of life-threatening allergies. It works by desensitizing or numbing the sufferer by releasing small doses of allergic substances which elicits reaction from the immune system.