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.
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 kind of reaction is very common among people who are sensitive to nickel. This allergy is so common because nickel is often used to make jewelry, watches, and other accessories that come into contract with your skin. If you have found that you often have a rash on your ears, wrist, or neck then the first allergy you should test is nickel.
It may surprise you how many allergens you are exposed to everyday. Beauty products, rubber and latex products, hair dyes, and nail varnish are very well known allergens. The more common outdoor causes of contact dermatitis include poison oak and poison ivy. Uncommon allergens tend to be present in the workplace. Nurses, woodworkers, welders, construction workers, painters, and others who are regularly exposed to unusual chemicals at work often find that they have one or more allergen in the workplace. This type of eczema is called occupational contact dermatitis and you will need to seek help from your employer in order to identify and control your exposure.
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 sites.
