ABSTRACT
The American Contact Dermatitis Society suggests a core allergen series that consists of 80 allergens to be included in patch testing. Frequency and types of allergens can also vary among communities, so where the patient lives may also be important. Trends in allergenicity are analyzed and reported periodically by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) and several other institutes, including the Mayo Clinic. The benefits of patch testing outweigh the risks when the results lead to a meaningful diagnosis and treatment plan. It may be helpful to develop a patient education handout that provides information on how to prepare for and what to expect from patch testing. The majority of the members of the American Contact Dermatitis Society use the NACDG core series of allergens, while only 9% use the Thin-Layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous Test. Occupation-or exposure-specific panels of allergens are also available, such as a hairdresser tray or dental tray.
