When it comes to your skin, patch testing can mean two different things. To some, a patch test means trying a new skin care, hair care, or hair removal product on a small patch of skin to see if you have any adverse reactions before applying it to the entire intended area or incorporating it into your routine. For others, a patch test can mean going to a doctor, like one of the board-certified dermatologists at SkinDC, and finding out what you’re allergic to. Today, we’re going to talk about the kind of test you get done at the doctor, what it is, why you should do patch testing, and who should consider it.
*(If you’d like to learn more about hair care or skincare patch testing, let us know in the comments on one of our Facebook or Instagram posts! It just might be our next blog!)
What Is A Patch Test?
Patch testing is a noninvasive procedure to identify specific substances that cause hypersensitivity reactions, contact dermatitis, or allergic contact dermatitis on your skin. Unlike intradermal allergy testing, where an allergist might poke you with needles, patch tests don’t involve injections. Instead, tiny amounts of potential allergens are applied to your back using small adhesive patches to see if your skin responds negatively.
Here’s a more in-depth look into the process.
- Application: We’ll apply 80 patches with 80 of North America’s most common chemical allergens. If necessary, we’ll use more patches to test additional potential allergens. If you’re worried that simultaneously conducting 80+ tests might create confusing or inaccurate results, don’t be! Each patch is carefully documented so we know which is which.
- Waiting: These patches are arranged in rows and remain on your skin for 48 hours. After this period, we remove the patches at your follow-up SkinDC appointment, and your board-certified dermatologist checks for signs of hypersensitivity, such as redness, swelling, or blistering.
- Third Appointment: The day after the patches are removed, you’ll have a third appointment where we’ll check to see if you had any delayed reactions. Rigorous activity, direct sun exposure, and getting the testing wet, or sweaty should be avoided until after this third appointment. You don’t want to compromise the results accidentally!
- Final Appointment: We’ll discuss your results and go over a list of products or ingredients we recommend you avoid and what we suggest you use instead.
Why Is Patch Testing Important?
If you’ve been dealing with persistent conditions or symptoms like eczema, rashes, hives, dry skin, scaly skin, bumps, swelling, or itchiness, patch testing can pinpoint the specific substances triggering these reactions.
If you keep coming in contact with your skin irritants, these irritants could become skin allergies. If left untreated, these allergic reactions could continue to worsen in severity over time, leading to hair loss, chronic symptoms that never seem to go away, a decrease in mental health, increased risk of sunburn, sensitivity to the sun, and infections that can spread to other parts of the body and possibly be life-threatening.
By identifying your skin allergy, allergies, or irritants, patch testing helps you take control of your skin health. Many everyday items contain hidden skin allergens—such as fragrances, preservatives, skincare products, cleaning products, metals, and even food—that you might not even be aware of. These adjustments to your lifestyle can significantly reduce flare-ups for a better quality of life.
Who Should Consider A Patch Test?
Patch testing could be a game-changer if you:
- Use or want to use cosmetics regularly but are frustrated with reactions.
- Feel anxious about trying a new skin care product, even if it’s labeled “safe for sensitive skin,” due to past experiences.
- Tired of spending a lot of money trying various products that almost always bother your skin.
- Notice itchiness or skin discomfort after eating.
- Feel like most cleaning products are your skin’s enemy.
- Have a family or personal history of allergies or skin sensitivities.
- Find that wearing or being near perfume and cologne is unbearable.
- Suffer from chronic conditions that you’re struggling to manage.
- Spend too much time at the doctor to manage symptoms as they pop up.
- Have frequent scalp issues, such as hair loss, skin irritation, hair thinning, itchy scalp, dry scalp, etc., that seem to be caused or worsened when you use products, like hair dye for example.
Basically, if you feel that your skin is having more bad days than good days and you can’t figure out why, or if your skin is interfering with your confidence, comfort, health, happiness, or everyday life, you should see a dermatologist to find out if a patch test can help you get your skin and life back on track.
Achieve Healthier, Clearer Skin With SkinDC!
Our team at SkinDC is passionate about helping you maintain healthy skin and self-esteem. Together, we can use personalized treatment and detailed, accurate tests to tackle your medical and aesthetic skin and hair concerns and improve your quality of life.
Schedule your appointment at SkinDC in Arlington, VA, today to learn more about the patch test, skin allergies, skin irritants, skin and hair treatments, and symptom management! There’s no better time than now to feel and look your best.