Watching as your child struggles with the pain and itchiness of skin rashes is upsetting. One of the biggest challenges with controlling their symptoms is figuring out what seems to set off the reaction in the first place. Childhood skin rashes can be caused by many different things, such as the chemicals in soaps or airborne allergens. Your child may also break out due to things that they eat. Patch test services, such as Allergy Asthma Specialists, help you to figure out what is causing the skin rashes so that you can help your child find greater comfort.

Plan for Several Appointments

The first thing that you need to do is plan to have the testing done during a week when you can visit the clinic several times. In most cases, patch testing is done in three visits. During the first visit, the patch is applied and marked. The second visit is when the skin is first checked for a reaction. By the third visit, your child's skin will be checked one more time to see if any delayed responses occurred. While these visits are fairly short, you may need to arrange for things such as time off work or school to get them done.

Ask How to Prep for the Test

The testing is typically administered on a person's back, but it could also be done on other parts of the skin. Find out where the patch test will be placed and how to prepare for the testing. For example, your child may need to avoid direct sunlight on this area of their skin, and they may need to stop using moisturizers and other products on the area to prevent confusion during the testing period.

Pick Comfortable Clothing

The patch test should be fairly comfortable, but you want to avoid having your child tug at the patches that are placed on their skin. Choose loose and comfortable shirts that should not irritate the patches. Since some markings may be done on your child's skin, you may also choose clothes that you don't mind getting stained.

Protect the Test Area From Moisture

Finally, you will need to keep the test area as dry as possible to prevent the patches from coming off. Ask whether or not your child can bathe normally during the testing period. If the patches must stay completely dry, then you can help them use a washcloth to clean their body while leaving the patch area alone. Your child may also need to avoid strenuous activities during the week to prevent sweat from interfering with the test. This is a great time to pull out some calm activities such as board games to keep your child occupied and the patch area clean and dry.