Allergic contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction caused by contact with certain irritants or allergens. It is considered as the most prevalent form of allergic reaction in humans. It causes several symptoms such as itchy and inflamed skin, oedema, raised red rashes, and blisters. In severe cases, the skin becomes painful and the condition may become persistent or recurrent.
One of the challenges in treating the condition is identifying its exact cause. This is why patients are advised to go to a dermatology clinic or a medical facility specialising in immunology. Such facilities are widely available in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asian countries, specifically Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, offer advanced treatment for allergic contact dermatitis regardless of the severity of the condition. Many dermatology clinics and immunology centres in the region specialise in the treatment of skin allergies. Thus, patients can expect to receive advanced and targeted therapies. The treatment includes identifying the specific allergen or irritant using more detailed, comprehensive patch tests. When the cause of the condition is identified, a targeted treatment can be easily provided.
One of the advanced forms of allergy treatments offered in Southeast Asia is immunotherapy. Unlike topical ointments and anti-allergy medications that have to be used repeatedly, immunotherapy offers the possibility of long-term relief from allergic contact dermatitis. Also known as subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), or simply allergy shots, this is a preventive treatment that works against several types of allergens such as house dust mites, bee venom, and grass pollen, among others. The treatment works by giving the patient doses of the allergen and gradually increasing the dose to build up the patient’s immunity to it. Exposing the body to the allergen causes it to produce special antibodies that block the allergen. This leads to symptoms relief even when the patient comes in contact with the allergen again.
Top allergy and immunology facilities in the region now also offer sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), which uses allergy tablets or allergy drops instead of allergy shots. The tablets and drops also work the same way as allergy shots but offer targeted treatment for one specific type of allergen only.
Another advanced skin allergy treatment offered in Southeast Asia is phototherapy, which is ideal for patients suffering from chronic allergic contact dermatitis and is most effective in patients with dermatitis on limited areas of skin. Phototherapy uses ultraviolet-A (PUVA) plus psoralen, a photosensitiser that the patient ingests before undergoing light therapy.
Aside from advanced treatment breakthroughs in immunology, Southeast Asia is also home to several board-certified allergists and immunologists. Since most of them are educated and trained abroad, they can offer the same world-class and high-quality treatments that are available in Western countries such as the US and UK. Thus, there is no need for Southeast Asians to travel too far to obtain the latest breakthrough treatments for allergic contact dermatitis.