ABOUT PATCH TESTING

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A patch test involves the application of three distinct patches across your back to account for about 80-90% of the most common skin allergens. You are skin on the inside and outside!  A Patch test may be able to identify some oral allergens associated with oral allergy syndrome. Balsam of Peru allergy is the best example of this. 

The patient must wait 15-20 minutes to avoid risk of anaphylaxis. They may leave the office after 15-20 minutes. 

Please come in freshly washed! This is crucial because you will not be allowed to wash your back for one week. If you take anti-histamines, you may continue. Most websites say to stop but after twenty years of experience, we know it really does not matter. It won't blunt your reaction significantly enough if you are truly allergic. It does help block any false positives, so we prefer you to continue the anti-histamine if you've been taking it regularly. 

You may exercise Monday morning then  shower before we apply the patches later that day. You may exercise Friday afternoon  after the final patch test reading. To ensure the most accurate patch test reading possible, please do NOT exercise or wash your back until after we do the delayed hypersensitivity reading on Friday.

Some people have delayed hypersensitivity beyond 96 hours, many times it is days later! Please let us know if this occurs so we can fit you in, see you and document the delayed hypersensitivity. This is very important. If you just tell us "by the way" and later you need other treatments or medications to manage the delayed hypersensivity, your insurance may not cover it. Remember, if we don't document it, it did not happen.  Your insurance company relies upon our documentation (not yours) to approve procedures, medications and treatments.  Please call so we can see you for a proper office visit and document the encounter. There will be a copay and it will be billed to insurance. Bring any images you took so we can incorporate them into our notes.