Are there differences between allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis ?

Allergens: Allegic dermatitis will result in a positive patch test. Irritant dermatitis will not elicit a possible allergy test. Allergy testing requires 2-3 days to elicit a reaction.

Yes: Irritant dermatitis is much more common and triggered by "irritants" such as cleaning chemicals or other harsh products that break down the intact skin. Allergic contact dermatitis results from a specific type of allergic mechanism termed type 4 and common allergens are nickel, poison ivy, rubber products.. Allergy patch tests can be performed to identify allergic contact dermatitis allergens.