As discoid eczema causes distinctive symptoms, your GP should be able to make a diagnosis by examining the affected areas of skin.
In some cases your GP may also ask questions or carry out some tests to rule out other causes. Possible tests include:
- patch testing to diagnose contact dermatitis (a skin condition caused by coming into contact with a particular substance) – this is when tiny amounts of different substances are applied to your skin to see if they cause a reaction
- a swab test to diagnose an infection – a swab is a small piece of absorbent material, such as gauze or cotton, attached to the end of a stick or wire. This is used to collect a sample of skin to test for bacteria that may cause an infection.
- examining the flakes of skin to diagnose a fungal skin infection, such as ringworm, which also causes a ring-like red rash
Your GP may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who specialises in treating skin conditions) if they are unsure of the diagnosis or if you need patch testing.
