DIY Skin Patch Test Archives

That’s how long I have to wait before showering. Yuck.

You may remember that my face started falling apart a while back and I tried a bunch of hippie home remedies and ended up having to go to the Dermatologist after all.

Just like the chelitis situation, the doctor suggested that this problem was contact dermatitis.

That’s a fancy way of saying that my skin breaks out when coming in contact with some mystery ingredient that must be in the products that I use.

As much as I know that this is a better diagnosis than some kind of crazy rash or fungus would be, I was just hoping to pop a pill or get some ointment and call it a day.

But no, the doctor recommended a patch test. Again.

I saw him in August for the chelitis but was too lazy to do the patch test so I just used the ointment to get some relief and cancelled my follow up appointment so I wouldn’t have to tell him I ignored his suggestion.

Real mature, I know.

Well, when my face started falling apart and I wanted to gouge my eyes out just so they wouldn’t itch anymore, I knew I had to face the music and go back to the doctor.

Turns out he either doesn’t really give a crap or chose to ignore the fact that I bailed on my last follow up appointment because he never mentioned it. I was relieved.

After looking at my eyes, temples, upper lip and ears and scribbling a few notes on my chart, he dropped the bomb that this was contact dermatitis. Again.

My look of utter disdain was probably overwhelmingly obvious.

Just give me a pill and make it go away before Christmas so I can wear makeup thankyouverymuch!

Being the reputable, upscale, suburban dermatologist that he is, he came through with a heroic gesture:

A Medrol Dosepak (steroids)
Eye ointment (steroids)
Face cream (steroids)

all of which saved the day and cleared things up in a jiffy.

I figured the least I could do in return is the stupid patch test.

Basically it involves exposing my skin to all of the products I use on a regular basis. They are applied with band aids and left for 48 hours (no bathing) and then they are removed and the skin is monitored for 48 hours.

The theory is that if I’m allergic to something I’ll have a breakout in that 4 day period and we can narrow down which ingredient might be the culprit.

I’m going back for 3 visits next week so that the doctor can do an official test which means that this week is my window for doing the home test and today was the day.

I took a nice long shower to get squeaky clean before my 48 hour bathing strike and then Dr. Andy helped me set it all up.