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Can you have different types of dermatitis at the same time?

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Yes. For example, you may be born with atopic eczema. Your job may involve frequent use of a solvent which may cause an irritant contact dermatitis. In addition, you may also develop an allergy to nickel, and so find that you get patches of inflammation over jean studs, or if you wear cheap jewellery, etc.

Do I need any tests?

The cure for most cases of contact dermatitis is to avoid the offending substance. In many cases no tests are needed as it is often clear which substance has caused the rash. However, sometimes it is not clear what is causing the rash. Or, it may be a substance which is an additive to various things and you cannot pinpoint what it is. This is where patch testing may be advised.

Patch testing

Patch testing helps to find the cause of allergic contact dermatitis. You need to be referred to a dermatologist (skin specialist). They will place on your skin a small amount of various substances that may be causing the rash. This is usually done on the skin on your back in sets of 10 with an adhesive dressing.

After two days the dressing is removed and the skin is examined to see if there is a reaction to any of the tested substances. The skin is also usually examined again after a further two days in case you have a delayed reaction to any substance.

If no skin reaction occurs on patch testing then this can also be helpful to rule out allergic contact dermatitis as a cause of your skin problem.