Occupational and Environmental Health: Recognizing and Preventing Disease and Injury - Multiple Choice Questions - Learn & Prevent

Which method is commonly used in diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis?

1. Blood test

2. Skin patch test

3. Biopsy

4. Ultraviolet light examination

The correct answer is: Skin patch test

A blood test is not typically used in diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis as it is not effective in identifying the specific allergen that is causing the reaction on the skin. A biopsy, or tissue sample, is also not commonly used as it would require removing a portion of the affected area of skin and is a more invasive procedure than necessary for diagnosis. An ultraviolet light examination may be used to view the skin and evaluate its condition, but it is not a method specifically used for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis. The most effective and commonly used method for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis is a skin patch test, in which small amounts of potential allergens are applied to the skin to see if a reaction occurs. This allows for identification of the specific allergen and helps guide treatment strategies.