Skin Allergies Q & A
What types of skin allergies are most common?
A skin allergy develops because your skin comes into contact with something that it thinks presents a hazard.
The body’s natural defense mechanisms kick your allergies into high gear, often resulting in a persistent, hard-to-treat rash, hives, or swelling. This reaction can occur anywhere on your body, including your hands, face, neck, legs, and genitals.
Some of the most common causes of skin allergies include:
- Certain plants, like poison ivy
- Ingredients in household cleaners, detergents, soaps, and moisturizers
- Fragrances
- Nickel
- Latex
How do I know what’s causing my skin allergies?
Part of the challenge of treating a skin allergy is figuring out what causes it in the first place. Your skin comes into contact with so much throughout the day. A rash appears, and you’re left trying to figure out every single thing that recently came in contact with your skin
Is it your laundry detergent? Your soap? Some environmental factor? You can play an elimination game, guessing at the cause of your allergies and trying to remove it from your routine. But this takes time — time during which you continue to deal with itchy, irritated skin.
Fortunately, there’s a better way. SINY® Dermatology offers patch testing to quickly, accurately identify the cause of your skin allergies.
What is patch testing?
Patch testing is a diagnostic procedure SINY® Dermatology offers patients to get the information they need to avoid whatever causes their skin allergies.
During a patch test, one of the expert dermatologists at SINY® Dermatology applies a patch with very small amounts of specific ingredients to your skin.
Within 72 hours, your body’s response to each of those ingredients gives your SINY® Dermatology skin allergy practitioner the information needed to identify the cause of your skin allergies.
Each member of the SINY® Dermatology team teaches patch testing at NYU Langone Health. What’s more, they ensure they’re always informed about the latest allergens that could affect your skin.
For more information or to book an appointment, call 800-778-3090 or visit sinyderm.com.
We provide the full spectrum of medical, cosmetic, and laser dermatology at all six of our offices in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Park Slope, Brooklyn, the West Village, and the Upper East Side in Manhattan, Forest Hills, Queens, and Southold on Long Island.