Eczema

Diagnose Your
Eczema Today

Eczema or Dermatitis Is an Itchy Rash. There Are Different Types of Eczema, Such as Irritant, Allergic, Stasis, Nummular and Atopic, to Name a Few.

Eczema can affect people of any age. Treating eczema is multifactorial and involves identifying the eczema, eliminating exacerbating factors, and treating the rash and itch. Improving your eczema starts with making an appointment with one of our providers.

Patch testing can be helpful in certain types of eczema. Patch testing is used to identify allergens that may be causing or contributing to contact dermatitis. Generally patch testing is used when a rash does not resolve with simple measures, persists despite treatment, flares unexpectedly, or involves a specific area that suggests contact dermatitis. Allergens are chemicals found in makeups, creams, topical medications, leather, clothing, shoes, work items, plants etc. that when in contact with the skin will cause rash or contact dermatitis for some individuals.

A common example is a nickel allergy. Nickel present in earrings and belt buckles can cause a chronic recurring rash on the belly or earlobe that will not resolve until nickel is avoided. Other common allergens that can cause dermatitis include fragrance, preservatives, rubber, leather, and botanicals. These agents can be more challenging to avoid.

Examples of Patients That Have Benefited From Patch Testing:

Nail Polish +

A patient with chronic eyelid dermatitis tests positive to components of nail polish and artificial nails. Her eyelid dermatitis resolves with avoidance.

Nickel +

A patient with chronic dermatitis on the thighs tests positive to nickel. He stops putting his cellphone and keys in his pocket and the dermatitis resolves.

Cosmetics +

A patient with facial dermatitis tests positive to a preservative found in cosmetics. Her facial dermatitis resolves with avoidance.

Leather +

A patient with chronic dermatitis on his lower legs tests positive to an allergen in leather. His dermatitis dramatically improves with switching to a different type of boot.

Hand Soap +

A patient with chronic hand dermatitis tests positive to a preservative used in the hand soap at work. His hands improve with avoidance.

Fragrance and Preservatives +

A patient with generalized dermatitis tests positive to fragrance and preservatives. Her dermatitis improves with avoidance.

Wet Wipes +

A mom with hand dermatitis test positive to the preservative in wet wipes. Her hands improve with avoidance.

Eczema Testing to the highest standard

At Dermatology San Antonio We Use A Series of Patch Tests Which Consist of 70 of the Most Common Allergens.

If you test positive to any allergens you will be counseled about how to avoid them and where they are found. For some people avoidance can lead to resolution of their dermatitis. For other patients, their dermatitis may improve but not resolve. There is no allergen therapy or desensitization therapy like there is with prick testing. For allergens that cause contact dermatitis there is simply awareness and avoidance. There are some patients who will have a negative test and for some patients we identify allergens that are not contributing to their current dermatitis. Patch testing does not determine if your rash is due to a medication you are ingesting.