Most cases will go away within a few weeks.
For more stubborn cases, a prescription treatment may be needed.
Most importantly, identifying and avoiding the triggering substance is imperative to allow the skin to heal.
Contact Dermatitis Treatment at Home
Contact dermatitis is very common.
The vast majority of people will develop contact dermatitis at least once in their lifetime.
In most cases, contact dermatitis is not serious and will heal on its own within about three weeks.
Good home care can help speed healing and keep you more comfortable while your rash heals.
In some cases, you’ll know right away what is causing contact dermatitis.
Other times, it may take some sleuthing to figure it out.
Often the location of the rash will help you figure out the cause.
Also, take into account products you have used for years.
Could they have changed formulations?
Use Cool Compresses
Contact dermatitis can be incredibly itchy.
Cool, damp compresses can ease the sting, itch, and burn.
Lukewarm Baths or Oatmeal Baths
Lukewarm baths are soothing.
Don’t add any fragranced bath products or bubble bath.
These can cause more irritation.
Oatmeal can be very soothing and relieve itching.
While bathing, avoid fragranced soap and body washes.
Choose your moisturizing products carefully, though, since fragranced products can cause more irritation.
Be sure to choose a fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic product.
Apply as often as needed throughout the day to relieve dryness and just before bed.
you’ve got the option to continue to apply emollient moisturizers after your rash has cleared up.
If you need further help, ask your healthcare provider for tips on avoiding irritating substances at work.
This can cause a rash where the back of the snap rests on your stomach.
Ask your pharmacist for advice in choosing an appropriate OTC treatment.
Take special care in choosinganti-itch remedies for childrenand don’t hesitate to call the pediatrician for advice.
Over-the-Counter Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone creamshelp relieve itching, irritation, and inflammation.
Ask your pediatrician before using hydrocortisone on a young child.
Hydrocortisone shouldn’t be used long-term, because it can cause thinning of the skin.
Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotionis usually good for relieving itch.
It also can help dry weeping rashes.
Calamine lotion is generally applied up to four times daily.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Itch Lotions
Anti-itch lotions relieve itching and soothe dryness.
Apply up to four times daily.
For children, talk to their pediatrician before giving them an antihistamine.
These can help reduce itching and irritation, and they work rather quickly.
Topical corticosteroids are applied one to two times daily.
It’s important that you use your medication exactly as your healthcare provider directed.
Even if the rash has cleared, you’ll need to continue using the full course of treatment.
Prednisone helps quickly relieve inflammation, and typically only a short course is needed.
Topical Immunomodulators
Topical immunomodulators are drugs that suppress the immune response that triggers inflammation.
Elidel (pimecrolimus) and Protopic (tacrolimus)are topical immunomodulators that are approved for treatingatopic dermatitis.
Phototherapy uses a special lamp that emits a set wavelength of light onto the skin.
The procedure lasts from a few seconds up to a couple of minutes.
It needs to be repeated at regular intervals for several months so that be effective.
A Word From Verywell
Most cases of contact dermatitis will go away within three weeks.
During this time, a bit of TLC can help minimize symptoms and keep you comfortable.
To clear contact dermatitis, you must figure out what is causing your rash and avoid the offending substance.
This includes metals such as gold, silver, mercury, nickel, copper, and more.
In most cases, it can be applied up to four times a day.
Don’t overdo it, though, because excessive use can cause overly dry skin and worsen inflammation.
Getting rid of poison ivy overnight is unlikely.
In most cases, a poison ivy rash will heal by itself after a few days to weeks.
Notify a healthcare provider if you spot any of the following symptoms.
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