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.
When you are trying to identify your allergen it is important to remember that the reaction does not occur immediately. Other types of rashes may happen almost immediately after exposure. They also begin to improve shortly after the allergen is removed. However, allergic contact dermatitis can take from 48 to 72 hours before you can see a reaction on your skin. It also takes longer to heal. This delay is why it becomes more difficult to identify the specific allergen which is causing the eczema.
Patch testing is a very common method used to determine allergens. Patch testing accounts for the delayed reaction and the longer time frame which is associated with this type of eczema. Patch testing is done by applying low dose strips of the allergen to the skin for two days. If a reaction occurs, especially if there is a red or inflamed spot, then you know that allergen is one of your eczema triggers. This testing does take a while to test all of the common allergens. If yours is a more unusual trigger then it will take more time.
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.
To begin identifying your allergens you should start taking notes about the location of the eczema. As the name implies, contact dermatitis occurs at the point where the allergen contacts the skin. If you typically get eczema in the same spot then you need to make a journal of what regularly touches your skin in that spot. If there is only one item on your list then you have diagnosed your allergen. However, you will have to use the process of elimination if there is more than one suspect on your list. Avoid all but one of the allergens for at least 2 weeks. If you have no reaction, then exposure yourself to one additional allergen for the next 2 weeks. You should continue this test until you have a reaction and can identify your allergen.
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.
When you are trying to identify your allergen it is important to remember that the reaction does not occur immediately. Other types of rashes may happen almost immediately after exposure. They also begin to improve shortly after the allergen is removed. However, allergic contact dermatitis can take from 48 to 72 hours before you can see a reaction on your skin. It also takes longer to heal. This delay is why it becomes more difficult to identify the specific allergen which is causing the eczema.
Patch testing is a very common method used to determine allergens. Patch testing accounts for the delayed reaction and the longer time frame which is associated with this type of eczema. Patch testing is done by applying low dose strips of the allergen to the skin for two days. If a reaction occurs, especially if there is a red or inflamed spot, then you know that allergen is one of your eczema triggers. This testing does take a while to test all of the common allergens. If yours is a more unusual trigger then it will take more time.
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.
To begin identifying your allergens you should start taking notes about the location of the eczema. As the name implies, contact dermatitis occurs at the point where the allergen contacts the skin. If you typically get eczema in the same spot then you need to make a journal of what regularly touches your skin in that spot. If there is only one item on your list then you have diagnosed your allergen. However, you will have to use the process of elimination if there is more than one suspect on your list. Avoid all but one of the allergens for at least 2 weeks. If you have no reaction, then exposure yourself to one additional allergen for the next 2 weeks. You should continue this test until you have a reaction and can identify your allergen.
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.
About the Author:
To find out more about Eczema and treatment for Eczema, check out Blake Helton's articles on the above mentioned sites.
