Epicutaneous test

The closed epicutaneous test

The epicutaneous test serves as proof of a primary skin irritation or a contact allergy, limited in terms of skin area and duration, caused by the substance to be tested. The procedure for a one-time, closed epicutaneous test is standardised internationally. This concerns the amount of test substances, test materials, application duration, time of reading after removal as well as the times of control readings and the evaluation of the reaction.

Open epicutaneous tests

The open epicutaneous test should be carried out for rinse-off products, such as household detergents/products, hair colourings, depilatories, etc. with a short absorption. It should be applied initially when substances have to be tested which are completely new or have not yet been applied to skin.