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Health A-Z

Medical Content Created by the Faculty of the
Harvard Medical School

Diagnosis

Depending on your pattern of skin symptoms, your doctor will ask about your:

  • Personal and family allergy history

  • History of exposure to irritating chemicals

  • Contact with potential allergy triggers, such as poison ivy

In many cases, your doctor can diagnose eczema by examining the skin.

If your doctor suspects that allergies are involved, patch testing with various allergy-causing chemicals may be necessary.

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From Health A-Z, Harvard Health Publications. Copyright 2007 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Written permission is required to reproduce, in any manner, in whole or in part, the material contained herein. To make a reprint request, contact Harvard Health Publications. Used with permission of StayWell.

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