Find Answers to Your Common Questions About Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis can be one of the most frustrating allergic reactions to deal with because it is often hard to know the reason for the reaction. At Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group, we suggest you contact us at 805-658-9500 right away for a full allergy test. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more about contact dermatitis.

How Can I Have an Allergy to Something I’ve Been Using for Years?

Most people are not born allergic to something. They develop contact allergies as their lives go on. In fact, in order to be allergic to something, you must have been exposed to something. You might have an allergic reaction to something the first time you come into contact with it, but in most cases there is a long history of exposure before the allergy develops.

How Long Will the Allergy Last?

The bad news is that the type of allergies that cause contact dermatitis will last for the rest of your life. You will continue to have to avoid whatever you are allergic to for the rest of your life, because your body has “learned” that the substance is bad for you. It sends out antibodies to protect you, but in turn they give you a skin rash.

Can Contact Dermatitis Be Treated?

The rash can be treated, but the allergic reaction to the substance cannot be cured or treated. The best way to handle the situation is to avoid being exposed to the substance at all. On the other hand, if you have certain other allergies (not contact dermatitis), then your reaction could be reduced by desensitizing yourself to it. For example, grass, mold and tree allergies might be treated with allergy shots that get your body used to the substances so that it stops attacking them.

How Can I Determine if I Have Contact Dermatitis?

Talk to an allergist. At Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group we can provide skin patch testing, which has been used successfully for over 100 years. While the methods have advanced, the basic process is the same. We expose very small areas of your skin to very minor amounts of things you are potentially allergic to. If you get a reaction, then you are allergic to a substance. This can help us determine if you are allergic to more than just the substance you are currently worried about.

If you are ready to find out what your options are, how to get the answers you need about any skin rashes you might have, or to talk to an allergist and get the facts, then we welcome your call to Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group at 805-658-9500. We can set up an appointment so you can finally get the treatment you deserve.