Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1493935
www.FredericksburgParent.NET 15 Join us for the live conversation on Sponsored Material Stay tuned to the Fredericksburg Parent & Family YouTube and Facebook channels this month for a video interview featuring The Marshall School. Facebook: @fredericksburgparent • Instagram: @fredparentmagazine a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: What are the most effective over-the-counter remedies to provide relief for reactions like this? Dr. Posthumus: Topical steroids such as hydro- cortisone usually provide the most relief. There are also a variety of other products such as calamine lotion that can provide relief. Antihistamines may help reduce itching, but will not clear the rash of contact dermatitis. Q: What warning signs should cause an immediate visit to an emergency room or urgent care? Dr. Posthumus: If the contact dermatitis affects a large part of the body—especially the face—or if the rash is worsening despite OTC treatments, or if there are signs of a skin infection such as pain, dis- charge or fever, immediate medical attention is necessary. Q: When should a child see an allergist about contact dermatitis? Dr. Posthumus: If a child is having recurrent itchy rashes and/or the cause of the rashes is unclear, it would be appropriate to discuss the rash with an allergist. Pictures of the rash at various stages are also helpful in determining the cause, as the shape or distribution can be very telling as to the cause. Q: Do allergies to things like poison ivy and bee stings stay constant throughout life? Do they always develop in childhood, or can they develop in adulthood? Dr. Posthumus: Allergies can wax or wane over an individual's life and new onset allergies in adulthood are possible. Q: What should a patient or parent expect at an initial visit to consult on this or any other allergy? Dr. Posthumus: Patch testing is the method by which we assess for contact dermatitis allergens. The technique for patch testing involves the appli- cation of test allergens to the skin of the upper back under an occlusive dressing (i.e., patch) for two days and then read one or more days after that. Potential risks such as persistent local reac- tions or more severe allergic reactions are very rare. The clinical relevance of a positive patch test is established by reexamining the patient's exposure history. We don't patch test for poison ivy, as most individuals are reactive. Q: What makes Allergy Partners of Fredericksburg a good fit for families? Dr. Posthumus: We are part of the largest phy- sician-owned national allergy and immunology specialty group. This allows us to tap into a large number of experts in the field. This network is also beneficial for patients in a number of ways. If a patient is moving to a different geographic area, we often can seamlessly transition their care from one Allergy Partners location to another. To learn more or to schedule an appointment for an evaluation for allergy or immune problems, visit www.allergypartners.com/fredericksburg/ Contact dermatitis can develop after years of tolerating a product or metal, for example, so allergens tolerated as a child can be troublesome as an adult.