How are allergic and irritant contact dermatitis diagnosed?
The history and physical exam can often indicate what is going on. To isolate the allergen (molecule that caused the dermatitis), exclusion trials are often performed. In these trials, the animal is restricted to an uncarpeted room and kept off the grass, for instance. If the animal’s condition improves, potential allergens are slowly introduced one by one. A ‘patch’ test can also be performed. In this test, a small amount of the allergen is rubbed on the skin, or a gauze pad containing the suspected allergen is bandaged on the pet’s skin. The skin is monitored for 2-5 days for a reaction. How are pets with allergic or irritant contact dermatitis managed? The key to managing this condition is removing or restricting exposure to the allergen or contact irritant in the pet’s environment. If this cannot be done, the pet often needs to receive steroid therapy. Unfortunately, this is not always effective.
