Anyone Gone Through Patch Testing

[TPT]

My biopsy for dh came back negative. (I am still questioning my negative celiac disease results, and am planning to further investigate.) I gather many of you have gone through allergy patch testing in search of a reason for your rashes.

Just looking for experiences. What things did they test you for and how bad was the process? Were you able to shower at all? It takes 5 days total!!

[drgoogle]

An allergist I saw suggested patch testing but my dermatologist made me cancel the appointments because he said I'd just get "angry back" since my skin is hypersensitive right now. Thing is, I think it's hypersensitive because of the DH and skin trauma relationship.

They did say it'd be a bunch of patches on my back, then I'd have to come back in a couple days. I'm sure it's not fun or convenient, but if it helps give you some answers it's probably worth it!

[TPT]

An allergist I saw suggested patch testing but my dermatologist made me cancel the appointments because he said I'd just get "angry back" since my skin is hypersensitive right now. Thing is, I think it's hypersensitive because of the DH and skin trauma relationship.

They did say it'd be a bunch of patches on my back, then I'd have to come back in a couple days. I'm sure it's not fun or convenient, but if it helps give you some answers it's probably worth it!

It's over a 5 day period. I'd have to go to the doctor Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Not looking forward to the process, but hoping I'll get some answers.

[ravenwoodglass]

My biopsy for dh came back negative. (I am still questioning my negative celiac disease results, and am planning to further investigate.) I gather many of you have gone through allergy patch testing in search of a reason for your rashes.

Just looking for experiences. What things did they test you for and how bad was the process? Were you able to shower at all? It takes 5 days total!!

Did they biopsy the lesion or the skin next to it? If they biopsied the lesion itself then the test would be a false negative as the biopsy needs to be taken from intact skin next to the lesion.

[TPT]

Did they biopsy the lesion or the skin next to it? If they biopsied the lesion itself then the test would be a false negative as the biopsy needs to be taken from intact skin next to the lesion.

They biopsied the lesion itself AND the skin next to it.

[drgoogle]

Did they biopsy the lesion or the skin next to it? If they biopsied the lesion itself then the test would be a false negative as the biopsy needs to be taken from intact skin next to the lesion.

Does it always have to be completely normal skin? 2 docs biopsied me with a punch, taking a lesion but in addition a tiny bit of surrounding normal-ish skin. One of those docs is a dermatologist specifically looking to rule out DH. Surely he would know what he was doing? I even asked if he had to take some normal skin and he just said "no no this is fine for now"

[ravenwoodglass]

Does it always have to be completely normal skin? 2 docs biopsied me with a punch, taking a lesion but in addition a tiny bit of surrounding normal-ish skin. One of those docs is a dermatologist specifically looking to rule out DH. Surely he would know what he was doing? I even asked if he had to take some normal skin and he just said "no no this is fine for now"

It does need to be intact skin next to the lesion. Just because the doctor that did the biopsy was a dermatologist doesn't always mean they know how to do the biopsy correctly. I suffered greatly from DH for almost all my life and saw many derms. I was told it was everything from 'poison ivy in my blood stream' to 'pickers acne' to 'contact dermatitis'. The only doctor to biopsy was supposed to be the best in my area and he biopsied...the lesion. I have had the clearest skin in my life now in my 50's after suffering with DH since the age of about 5.