How to treat contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction to a specific substance, such as soap or poison oak. Symptoms include redness, swelling, inflammation, rashes and itching on the skin. The right treatment can reduce the effect of symptoms and help your skin heal faster.

Things You'll Need

• Washcloth
• Water
• Ointment
• Medications

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash the infected area. Soak a soft washcloth in warm water until saturated. Gently rub where contact dermatitis is visible. Use a separate clean cloth to dry the infected area thoroughly.

• 2

  Apply a specially formulated ointment or cream. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend a specific product. Some products are available over the counter while others of greater potency require a prescription to purchase. Commonly used treatments include corticosteroids, pimecrolimus cream and tacrolimus ointment. Follow the directions carefully. Corticosteroids can be quite strong so doctors recommend using only the smallest dosage necessary.

• 3

  Apply an anti-itch or anti-drying lotion to the skin. Contact dermatitis can be painful. The infected area might feel constantly itchy. Your doctor may prescribe a specific cream to be applied to the area in question. The cream will help reduce or stop the itchy sensation.

• 4

  Take oral medications. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a steroid to take orally. The steroid is a powerful medication and should clear the infection from your body. Take the medication as directed. Do not skip a dose.

• 5

  Avoid additional contact with the substance that caused the reaction. Contact dermatitis can occur multiple times. Infected skin can react again if you come into contact with the allergen. Make an appointment with your doctor to help determine what caused the problem in the first place. Some allergens, such as poison oak, have a distinctive pattern that can be easily identified. Others might be more difficult to isolate. Your doctor will ask you a series of questions about substances you have been around. If no obvious cause is found, your doctor might send you for additional testing to identify the material so you can avoid it.