How do I find out what I'm allergic to?

So, here’s the deal: the issue started with my hands, but now it’s spread up to my neck and shoulders. It shows up as intense redness, cracked skin, tiny little bumps, and constant itching. I went to see my primary care doctor, and they sent me over to Silver City to see a dermatologist. They gave me a cream that helped soothe things, but it wasn't a permanent fix. Once the flare-up calmed down, I saw an older specialist—she diagnosed it as allergic dermatitis (if I recall correctly, though I really should double-check my medical records). That was it. But honestly, what on earth could I be allergic to? I need to know so I can avoid the trigger if possible. Otherwise, am I just supposed to wrap myself in plastic wrap and live like that?
A lot of things have changed in my living environment lately, so maybe it has something to do with those industrial chemicals back at the factory.

Honestly, you just need to go get some real allergy testing done. When I was a kid and dealing with health issues, I used to go over to Silver City for all my tests. (Granted, that’s a children's hospital, but you get the idea.) I went through the whole process there multiple times, testing for pretty much every allergen under the sun. You really ought to find a clinic like that to figure out exactly what you're reacting to. Relying on dermatologists or your standard GP is a total waste of time. It's all just guesswork, "he said, she said" nonsense, and a bunch of useless creams. 😉

Should I request my referral from my primary care doctor, or is it better to just go through a private specialist?

Get an allergy referral and schedule some testing.
From what I’ve seen, most doctors wait until after the first frost—once things cool down and the pollen dies back—to run these tests. That’s when you get the most accurate results.
Maybe double-check with your doctor, though. That’s just my experience. I’m not sure how clinics out in Chicago handle it, but I’d bet it’s the same everywhere in the States.
I did my first round of testing last winter, and honestly, it wasn't great. The thing that triggered the biggest reaction during the test doesn't even bother me today. My doctor told me we’d need to redo everything once the season changes.
Good luck! 😉

Testing during the quieter winter months is really only effective if you're looking to pin down allergies related to grass pollen or weeds and similar seasonal triggers.
If you suspect you might be reacting to specific chemicals, however, those tests can actually be performed at any point throughout the year, regardless of the season.
I am curious, though—did your doctors ever suggest getting those specific tests done?

I’m pretty much on the same page as redeagle96, but honestly, I have zero clue when the right time of year is to actually go through with those tests. 🤷
If you ask me, the smartest move is to just grab a referral first. Take that over to an allergist who actually knows their stuff; they'll be able to tell you exactly when to schedule the testing so you aren't wasting your time. 😁

So, you're looking at allergic dermatitis, which basically splits into chronic and acute—and based on what you're describing, you're definitely dealing with the acute side of things.
With acute dermatitis, you usually see skin flare-ups on your neck, face, forearms, or hands about 24 to 48 hours after hitting an allergen. It starts with redness and swelling, then moves into blisters and scabs, all while driving you absolutely crazy with the itching.
Common culprits for this kind of reaction include stuff like disinfectants, heavy-duty cleaners, various chemicals, certain meds, contact with metals, or even specific foods...
Honestly, since you mentioned working around salon supplies, my money is on an allergy to hair chemicals. Things like peroxides, hair dyes, PPD, ammonium thioglycolate, preservatives, shampoos, or cleansers can all trigger a nasty reaction. Have you messed around with any new products or materials lately?
You should probably grab a referral for an allergist and go talk to a pro. I totally agree that testing for grass allergies makes more sense once the frost clears because the results end up being way more accurate, but for chemical sensitivities, there's no reason to wait around—you can get that checked out whenever you want. 🙂