What is the recommended first step in a Household Swap Audit before professional testing?

Replacing hand soap and dish soap with hypoallergenic, fragrance-free versions

The Household Swap Audit is proposed as a practical, initial diagnostic step focusing on ruling out the most common irritant causes (ICD), especially those affecting the hands. Since harsh surfactants and fragrances in hand soap and dish soap are major drivers of hand dermatitis, the first directive is to systematically replace these high-contact items with mild, clear, and fragrance-free formulations. Observing whether the rash improves after two weeks provides strong evidence pointing toward ICD driven by these common irritants. If the condition persists despite using the mildest products, the focus can then shift toward investigating an underlying, persistent Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD).