Contact dermatitis often occurs with the formation of bumps characterized by redness, itching and irritation on a dry, cracked or peeling skin. The skin may sometimes suffer from a strong burning sensation, and in severe cases, pus-secreting blisters may form and become encrusted. This disorder occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen that triggers an adverse immune response. In addition to avoiding further exposure to the triggering cause, there are several home and medical treatments you can try to combat symptoms and speed healing.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Try a Homemade Treatment
Step 1. Identify and avoid the substance responsible for the adverse reaction
The first step in treating contact dermatitis is identifying the cause and avoiding further exposure to the factor that triggered the reaction in the first place. Symptoms often manifest themselves after about 24 hours from exposure to the determining cause, with a rash covering the area directly in contact with the triggering factor. By avoiding further contact with the root cause, contact dermatitis usually passes on its own within 2 to 4 weeks of exposure. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Soaps, cosmetics, nail polishes, hair dyes, deodorants or other personal hygiene products;
- Poison ivy;
- Bleach;
- Nickel contained in costume jewelery accessories and / or buckles;
- Creams used for therapeutic purposes, such as antibiotic ointments;
- Formaldehyde;
- Recent tattoos and / or black henna;
- Perfumes;
- Sun protection;
- Isopropyl alcohol.
Step 2. Wash the area affected by the rash with warm water and a mild soap
Before applying creams or ointments, first make sure you wash the affected area with warm (not hot) water and a mild soap. This will ensure that you remove any last traces that the triggering agent may have left.
Step 3. Use an emollient cream or ointment
Using a regular moisturizing cream or ointment can help soothe the itching and / or dryness caused by the rash. These products are readily available at the pharmacy or supermarket.
Calamine lotion has also been shown to be effective in relieving contact dermatitis
Step 4. Avoid overdoing the use of soap, makeup, or cosmetics if they tend to worsen contact dermatitis
Many hand soaps contain harsh ingredients, thereby accentuating the symptoms of contact dermatitis (especially if the rash occurs on the hands and / or lower forearms). If you find that soap is making the situation worse, limit its use during the healing process. Try opting for a milder cleanser and use it sparingly until the situation improves.
- Also avoid other cosmetics and personal care products that can contribute to dermatitis.
- If you've noticed that certain cosmetics irritate you even more and plan to replace them, look for hypoallergenic products (read the label to make sure they are), as they are less likely to cause dermatitis. You could also start using bio-based skin care products.
- Although you have been using the same products for years, the formulations can sometimes change and adding an additive could cause new symptoms to develop.
Step 5. Soothe the skin with a cool, moist compress to reduce irritation
Wet bandages can be very effective, especially if the rash is secreting pus and / or is caking. In fact, they help to remove scabs, but also to combat itching and irritation.
- Apply the compress for 15 to 30 minutes.
- If the rash spreads to various parts of the body (for example affecting both legs, both arms or the torso), using a damp cloth is one of the easiest solutions to implement.
- For example, you could wear wet tights with dry pants over them to keep the areas affected by the rash moist.
- The specific garment to use depends of course on the area affected by the rash.
- Wet clothes should be changed at least every 8 hours.
- Use them as needed to soothe the skin and relieve symptoms.
Step 6. Try taking an oat-based bath to relieve itching and irritation
Follow the instructions in this article to find out more. Oatmeal baths help fight itching and reduce inflammation, making them particularly effective for treating contact dermatitis.
Step 7. Do not use topically administered antihistamines
Antihistamine creams may actually exacerbate contact dermatitis and the rash. Consequently, doctors do not recommend this treatment. On the other hand, oral antihistamines allow the symptoms to be attenuated, especially with regard to contact dermatitis of allergic origin.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing a Medical Treatment
Step 1. Opt for a steroid cream
If taking the steps outlined in the previous section isn't enough to keep the rash under control, your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter or prescription steroid cream. Hydrocortisone creams with a concentration of 1% are generally available over the counter, while prescription creams have higher concentrations and are consequently more effective.
- Consider that steroid creams are more effective when the area affected by the rash is covered after application. This prevents the cream from going off, allowing it to work much more effectively.
- To cover the area where you applied the cream you can for example use cling film, petroleum jelly or a non-stick plaster.
Step 2. Try medicines that work directly on the immune system
There are creams and ointments that can repair damaged (and irritated) skin by acting directly on the immune system. For example, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus (both calcineurin inhibitors) can be used.
- They are not available without a prescription, so they must be prescribed by a doctor.
- They are rarely prescribed, unless it is an acute case of contact dermatitis. According to FDA warnings, there is a possible correlation between creams or ointments that stimulate the immune system and certain types of cancers.
Step 3. Consider oral corticosteroids for more severe cases
If contact dermatitis does not go away with a combination of DIY techniques and the application of steroid creams, your doctor may recommend a short course of oral corticosteroids. As they have numerous side effects, it is not recommended to take them for prolonged periods. However, when taken over a few days, they are very effective in keeping a rash under control.
Prednisone is an example of an oral corticosteroid
Step 4. Contact your doctor to prescribe antibiotics if the area affected by the rash becomes infected
During treatment it is crucial to keep an eye on the rash and monitor for any symptoms of possible complications, such as an infection. If your skin becomes infected, your doctor will likely prescribe a course of antibiotics to fix it. It is important to complete it very carefully and avoid skipping tablets, even if the symptoms begin to subside within a few days (otherwise the infection could return). Here are some red flags to tell if the rash is infected:
- Fever;
- Pus leaking from the rash;
- Development of fluid-filled blisters (they may contain infectious substances)
- Skin hot to the touch and red.
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing and Diagnosing Contact Dermatitis
Step 1. Recognize the signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that occurs when the skin comes into contact with a harmful object or substance. This means that the distribution of the rash and the allergic reaction affects the areas that have had direct contact with the substance or object that triggered it. For example, it could occur where you rubbed your skin against a poison ivy plant or brought a nickel-containing costume jewelry accessory. Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for:
- Redness of the skin;
- Formation of bumps on the skin (often red)
- Dry, cracked, or peeling skin
- Swelling on the affected area
- A feeling of soreness in the affected area;
- Burning sensation in the affected area (in some cases);
- Formation of blisters which may secrete pus and subsequently become encrusted (in severe cases).
Step 2. Learn about the causes of contact dermatitis
There are 2 types of contact dermatitis: irritative and allergic. It must also be considered that various diseases can be confused with contact dermatitis because they have similar symptoms. Irritative dermatitis is due to a cause that alters the skin barrier in a physical, mechanical or chemical way. Allergic dermatitis is due to a cause that triggers an autoimmune reaction. The allergic reaction does not occur immediately after exposure: it may take 12 to 48 hours before it happens. It is also possible for a rash to develop following repeated exposure (sometimes after years). A reaction can be triggered by various causes, so it's not always easy to immediately understand why a rash developed.
Step 3. Think back to your recent exposures as you try to diagnose the cause
By looking at the area affected by the rash, it is often possible to trace the cause of contact dermatitis. Think about any unusual objects or substances that have recently come into contact with the affected area. It is possible that the cause of the rash is due to these factors.
- Be aware that contact dermatitis often gets worse over time. In other words, the more times you expose yourself to the offending substance, the more acute the rash / reaction will be.
- This is because it is an adaptive immune reaction, ie the immune system "remembers" the triggering agent and reacts more and more aggressively each time it is exposed to it.
Step 4. Contact your doctor to confirm the diagnosis of contact dermatitis and to undergo the necessary treatment to treat it
It is especially important to go to the doctor if the rash becomes extremely painful and uncomfortable, interfering with your daily life and / or night rest. In addition, if the rash affects the face or genitals, it is essential to consult a specialist to evaluate and treat it. If you see no improvement within 2 to 3 weeks of being exposed to the underlying cause, go back to your doctor.
