Trip Answers

Because clinicians ask questions

Search Clinical Questions

Searching TRIPanswers is fairly easy and currently basic (no Boolean etc), but this will evolve if there is a demand.

If you want to search for prostate cancer, simply type prostate cancer in the search box. If you want to search for prostate cancer screening, type prostate cancer screening.

We have envisaged users searching for their basic concept and then clicking on a relevant term in the tag cloud (if there are lots of results). In other words, the initial search gets you close to your Q&A while the tags allow you to refine your search to your topic of interest.

A total of 6322 clinical questions available

How do you diagnose contact dermatitis?

Associated tags: contact dermatitis, dermatitis, Dermatology, diagnosis

Question DetailsView Comments (0)

ANSWER

provided by TripAnswers

Moderate

Appraisal

Moderate

Confidence

Good

Click here for an explanation of these scores

Answer Rating key

	search		strong
	appraisal		weak
	confidence		moderate

Question answered:27/12/08

According to the AllergyCases.org:

The most established test for contact dermatitis is skin patch testing. The patient is advised to take a shower the day before the test. Two patches are placed on the back. The patient should not take a bath of the whole body until test is read 48-72 hours later.

The patient should remove the patch at home before driving to the clinic. This time period of 30-60 minutes allows the surrounding nonspecific erythema (from the patch) itself to subside. The test area should be examined again 72-96 hours later to detect any delayed skin reaction.

See full article (link below) for lots of background to the question.

See also the extensive CKS guideline on contact dermatitis http://cks.library.nhs.uk/dermatitis_contact/view_whole_topic (which also reports patch testing as the gold standard)

Source: http://allergycases.org/2008/07/how-to-diagnose-contact-dermatitis.html

DISCLAIMER: TRIPanswers is a collection of clinical questions and answers. Each provider will have their own methodology in answering questions and these are likely not to be as rigorous as systematic review. If you have any doubt as to the implications of this contact the Q&A Service Provider for further information. This document is presented for information purposes only. This document cannot and should not be used as a basis of diagnosis or choice of treatment, and is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. TRIPanswers and TRIP Database Ltd are not responsible or liable for, directly or indirectly, ANY form of damage whatsoever resulting from the use/misuse of information contained in or implied by this document. Also, ensure you have read the terms and conditions for using the site.

Need to search for more evidence?

Help us improve this answer

Leave comments or suggestions below

Email address: (in case we need to get back to you)

Name: (for display on the site)

Comments:

Enter the code shown in the image:

Disclaimer:

TRIP will review each comment and will only publish those we feel will enhance a particular answer. As a result of the review process there will be a delay between submission and publication of accepted comments.

Tag Cloud