Taking the sting out of diagnosing contact dermatitis

“Have a high clinical suspicion for contact allergens or irritants in anyone presenting with eczematous rash.” —Dr. Rebecca Pratt

Creams that sting and rashes that won’t quit —welcome to the complex world of contact dermatitis. Dr. Rebecca Pratt joins Dr. Mariam Hanna to unpack why diagnosing and managing this condition is anything but straightforward.

Dr. Pratt is an allergist and clinical immunologist in St. Catharines, Ontario, with a passion for dermatoimmunopathology and practical tools that empower patients. She breaks down when to patch test, what to suspect, and how to help patients take control.

On this episode:

• Why 80% of contact dermatitis cases are irritant—not allergic
  
  
• Clues that point to allergic contact dermatitis, especially in recurring facial, hand, or foot rashes
  
  
• How to approach patch testing in adults and kids, including when immunosuppressants or UV exposure may interfere
  
  
• What to do when results are negative—and why that still matters
  
  
• The reality of managing allergens found in foods, not just topicals
  
  
• Why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the sunscreen question—and how physical blockers stack up

There may be no cure for contact allergy, but there’s power in knowing what to avoid.

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The Allergist is produced for CSACI by PodCraft Productions