Allergy Patch Testing in Atopic Dermatitis Eczema Psoriasis - from a Memphis Dermatologist

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (10/21/2024)

Allergy Patch Testing is a helpful test for patients with Atopic Dermatitis — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with an Eczema patient

Since 2004, as a Memphis Dermatologist, I have offered Allergy Patch Testing for my Memphis Dermatology patients to help to figure out what may be causing flares of Contact Dermatitis, of Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema), or of Psoriasis. Let’s take a look at what’s involved in this type of allergy testing – called Allergy Patch Testing - because it can offer a cure from these itchy conditions and/or rashes.

Eczema can involve flares of itching related to skin allergies — Young man with Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema on his arms

First, many rashes felt to be Eczema or Psoriasis can in reality be what’s called In Cognito Contact Dermatitis. By the term “In Cognito Contact Dermatitis,” I mean that the patient is experiencing a type of allergic dermatitis due to a preservative, to a fragrance, or to a metal such as nickel. The patient comes into contact with that chemical, and a flare of their skin condition develops. Other leading culprits can include components of latex, dyes, or mixing agents (emulsifiers) in cosmetics and toiletries. Sometimes the cause of the rash is as simple as an ingredient in the patient’s shampoo or laundry detergent. So Allergy Patch Testing, a type of Allergy Testing, a helpful way of evaluating the leading causes of contact rashes to try to ferret out what chemical the culprit.

Atopic Dermatitis is also known as Eczema — Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury counsels a patient about Atopic Dermatitis

Allergy Patch Testing is to be distinguished from prick testing or RAST testing that may be available from Allergists, because Allergists are especially focused upon dietary-related chemicals, or respiratory-related chemicals, including molds, danders, and mildews, and nets, eggs, and spices. Allergy Patch Testing is a type of testing more centered around chemicals that your skin may come into contact with, such as chemicals that are in clothing or textiles, or cosmetics and toiletries. Some Allergists offer Allergy Patch Testing, whereas other Allergists will refer patients needing Allergy Patch Testing to Dermatologists.

Hand Eczema patients often benefit from Allergy Patch Testing — A patient with Hand Eczema or Dyshidrotic Dermatitis

Allergy Patch Testing involves having patches put under tape onto your back generally on a Monday of a week when you have time to return to get the patches removed and the sites evaluated for reactions, generally on the Wednesday and Friday of that same week. It’s generally a good idea to avoid antihistamines such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Allegra for 72 hours prior to the placement of the patches. We also prefer to have the patient avoid prednisone, an oral steroid, that week, because it could camouflage reactions in the testing. Furthermore, we prefer to avoid testing a patient when his or her rash is really active, because the patient might exhibit what are called false-positive reactions.

Common triggers of Hand Eczema flares includ preservatives, metals, and fragrances — Memphis Dermatitis Dr. George Woodbury counsels a Hand Eczema patient

As a Memphis Dermatologist, I am able to offer “Extended Allergy Patch Testing,” allowing me to evaluate for 100 or more different chemicals, in an attempt to avoid missing chemicals related a my patients’ allergies. This extended testing is sometimes called Dormer testing. The chemicals to which we test are updated every several years, as ongoing Dermatologic research uncovers new chemical culprits. I have been a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society for over 15 years, allowing me to grow my own awareness of skin allergies with the findings of over 1100 other Dermatologists across the United States and Canada who offer this type of allergy testing.

Common culprits for flares of Eczema include dyes, fragrances, and metals. — Young woman dealing with the itching of Seborrheic Dermatitis on her face

Once we identify a culprit, we can do an online search through the CARD database (Contact Allergen Referral Database) to help the patient to identify products that are free of that culprit chemical.

For more on Allergy Patch Testing, check out a short movie that my Dermatology practice sponsored for Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43QFMJ7TrcQ

Big River Silk Skincare's motto: "Science Simplifying Skincare." — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff

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In 2016, I became President of Big River Silk Skincare, Inc., a skincare products company focused upon manufacturing, marketing, and distributing what are called hypoallergenic skincare products, meaning those that are less likely to cause contact dermatitis reactions. We manufacture a Refined Shea Butter moisturizer – HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion and HypoShea Moisturizer Cream – which is fragrance-free moisturizer – rich in Shea Butter – and organic moisturizer component (1 oz or 37 gm: $14.95; 2 oz or 57 gm: $22.95; 8 oz or 227 gm: $74.95, plus $7.50 for USPS handling and shipping for orders under $75.00). We also manufacture a soft glycerine cleanser especially helpful for people with complexion issues like oily skin or combination skin and Acne – AmberSoy Soap Gel (1 oz: $14.95/ 2 oz: $22.95; 8 oz: $74.95). And we manufacture an Antiwrinkle Cream – GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion – with an Alpha Hydroxy Acid called Glycolic Acid – which reduces the appearance of fine lines in the skin (1 oz: $44.95; 2 oz: $68.95; 8 oz: 8 oz: $229.95). All of Big River Silk’s products are free of sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, added perfumes, and problematic preservatives.

Glycolic Acid confers an Anriwrinkle Cream effect — GlycoShea Facial&Neck has Alpha Hydroxy Acid Glycolic Acid

So if you or a family member has been suffering from ongoing rash, itching, or burning, consider getting into a Dermatologist’s office for an evaluation today. As a Cordova Dermatologist, I have been a member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, offering Allergy Patch Testing since 2004. Of you can find a “Best Dermatologist Near Me” or “Best Dermatologsits Near Me” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology website, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab. The bottom line? Never itch in silence.