skin disorders
Contact Dermatitis
Treatment of Contact Dermatitis
Avoiding contact with the substance causing the problem Measures to relieve itching Corticosteroids and antihistamines Treatment of contact dermatitis is not effective until there is no further contact with the substance causing the problem. Once the substance is removed, the redness usually disappears with time. Blisters may continue to ooze and form crusts, but they soon dry. Scaling, itching, and thickening of the skin may last for days or weeks. Treatment and blisters can be relieved with a number of medications that are applied to the skin or taken by mouth. In addition, small areas of dermatitis can be soothed by applying pieces of gauze or thin cloth dipped in cool water or Often a corticosteroid is applied to the affected skin. Over-the-counterhydrocortisonemay help. If not, doctors may prescribe a stronger corticosteroid cream. If the rash is particularly severe, a corticosteroid can be taken by mouth. The antihistamineshydroxyzineanddiphenhydraminehelp relieve itching. They are taken by mouth. 