Contact Dermatitis Testing & Treatment in the Bay Area
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen, resulting in an itchy, inflamed rash. At South Bay Allergy and Asthma Group, our allergists—including a Fellow of the American Contact Dermatitis Society—use comprehensive patch testing to identify the specific substances triggering your reaction and develop effective management strategies.
Book AppointmentWhat Is Contact Dermatitis?
There are two main types of contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by direct chemical damage to the skin from substances such as soaps, detergents, solvents, or repeated water exposure. Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction (Type IV immune response) to specific allergens including nickel, fragrances, preservatives, rubber chemicals, and hair dye ingredients. Unlike immediate allergic reactions, allergic contact dermatitis often develops 24 to 72 hours after exposure.
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Red, inflamed, and itchy skin in areas of contact
- Blistering or oozing during acute reactions
- Dry, scaly, cracked, or thickened skin in chronic cases
- Burning, stinging, or discomfort
- Rashes affecting the hands, face, neck, or other exposed areas
- Symptoms that persist despite standard eczema treatments
How We Diagnose
Diagnosis begins with a detailed review of your occupation, hobbies, cosmetics, jewelry, skincare products, and household exposures. We perform comprehensive patch testing, a specialized procedure in which standardized panels of contact allergens are applied to the back under occlusion for 48 hours and evaluated at specific intervals to identify delayed allergic reactions. Our practice utilizes the North American standard series along with supplemental allergen panels when appropriate.
Treatment Options at South Bay Allergy
Once the responsible allergen is identified, avoidance becomes the cornerstone of treatment. Our allergists provide detailed allergen avoidance plans, product substitution recommendations, guidance for workplace and environmental exposures, topical and systemic therapies to treat active inflammation, and barrier repair strategies to help protect the skin from future reactions.
Schedule an Appointment
Stop guessing what is causing your skin reaction. Schedule a contact dermatitis evaluation with South Bay Allergy and Asthma Group today and get answers that lead to lasting relief.
Book Appointment