How Contact Dermatitis Is Treated

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOTC TreatmentPrescriptionsSpecialist ProceduresFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Contact Dermatitis GuideContact Dermatitis: When Symptoms Start and Could End

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Home Remedies

OTC Treatment

Prescriptions

Specialist Procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Contact Dermatitis Guide

Contact dermatitistreatment usually involves home remedies like cold compresses, warm baths, moisturizing, and minimizing exposure to the affected area.

Contact dermatitis is a common type of skin rash that happens after skin comes into contact with an irritant. 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.

Madelyn Goodnight / Verywell

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.

Identify and Avoid the Irritant

One of the most important steps to take to treat contact dermatitis is to avoid the substances that cause your skin irritation.

In some cases, you’ll know right away what is causing contact dermatitis. For example, a rash may develop on your underarms after you switch deodorant brands oron the eyelidsafter you try new eye makeup. Other times, it may take some sleuthing to figure it out.

Think of anything new in your life:skin or hair care products, laundry detergent, fragrance or perfume, household cleaners,jewelry, and evenclothing.

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? It’s also quite possible, and very common, to develop a sensitivity to products you’ve used over a long period of time.

Use Cool Compresses

Contact dermatitis can be incredibly itchy. Cool, damp compresses can ease the sting, itch, and burn. Lay a cloth dampened in cool water over the rash for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, several times per day.

Identifying an Underarm Rash From Pictures

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. Mild, unscented soap can be used, or if these seem to aggravate the rash, use plain water until your skin has healed.

What’s Causing Your Beard Rash and How to Get Rid of It

Moisturize Often

For dry, cracked skin, apply a moisturizer as a barrier and as a way to soothe the skin until it has healed. 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 can continue to apply emollient moisturizers after your rash has cleared up. Regular application of moisturizers can help heal and strengthen the skin’s barrier and may help minimize the chance of repeated bouts of contact dermatitis.

Cover the Affected Area

Minimize Exposure at Work

Many people discover the cause of their contact dermatitis is a substance they’re exposed to at work.Hairdressers,estheticians, healthcare workers, housekeepers, janitors, cooks, florists, and those who work in manufacturing jobs are especially at risk.

There are things you can do to limit your exposure:

Latex can be an irritant, so consider using non-latex or nitrile gloves.

If you need further help, ask your healthcare provider for tips on avoiding irritating substances at work.

Tips for Contact Dermatitis Caused By Pant Snaps

Nickelis a common cause of contact dermatitis.Many snaps and buttons on jeans and other pants contain nickel. This can cause a rash where the back of the snap rests on your stomach.

Over-the-Counter Treatment

There are several over-the-counter (OTC) treatments you can get at your local pharmacy to help reduce symptoms and make you more comfortable until the rash heals. 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. A typical application involves applying a thin layer to affected skin two to four times daily for a few days. 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.

The drawback is that it’s bubblegum pink, so you’ll likely not want to wear it out in public on areas that are obvious.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Itch Lotions

Anti-itch lotions relieve itching and soothe dryness. Apply up to four times daily. Monitor your skin for increased irritation, though, since sensitivities to ingredients found in these lotions are not unheard of.

Oral Antihistamines

Although they won’t do anything to soothe or heal the rash,oral antihistaminesmay help reduce itching. If you aren’t getting relief from any of the topical therapies, you may want to give them a try. For children, talk to their pediatrician before giving them an antihistamine.

Prescriptions That Treat Contact Dermatitis

You might need a prescription medication for severe contact dermatitis, widespread rash, or contact dermatitis that isn’t improving with home treatment.

In these cases, prescription contact dermatitis treatment options include:

Topical Corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids(also known as steroid creams) are typically the first-line treatment for contact dermatitis.

Hydrocortisone (in stronger formulation than OTC options), Kenalog (triamcinolone), and clobetasol are commonly prescribed. 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.

Topical corticosteroids may burn or sting when first applied, especially if your skin is cracked, broken, or very irritated. They can also cause thinning of the skin when used long-term, but for short courses of treatment, they are safe when used as directed.

Oral Corticosteroids

An oral corticosteroid such as Rayos (prednisone) may be prescribed if the contact dermatitis is very severe or widespread, covering large areas of your body. Prednisone helps quickly relieve inflammation, and typically only a short course is needed.

Oral corticosteroids are most often used for acute cases, like severe poison ivy rash, and are not very often prescribed for chronic cases of contact dermatitis.

It’s important to follow usage directions exactly and continue the entire course of treatment, even if your rash has cleared.

Antibiotics

Oral antibioticsdon’t improve contact dermatitis, but your healthcare provider may prescribe them if your rash shows signs of infection.

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. They are also prescribed in certain cases to reduce inflammation of severe contact dermatitis that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

Specialist-Driven Procedures

Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, isn’t a common contact dermatitis treatment, but it can be used in instances where the rash isn’t improving with other treatments.

Phototherapy uses a special lamp that emits a set wavelength of light onto the skin. For contact dermatitis, narrowband UVB light is most commonly used.The light can be used to target specific affected areas or, if contact dermatitis is widespread, the entire body may be treated.

The procedure lasts from a few seconds up to a couple of minutes. It needs to be repeated at regular intervals for several months in order to be effective.

Phototherapy is used when conventional treatments haven’t worked, and generally only in cases of severe or chronic contact dermatitis.

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. If you’re so uncomfortable that you can’t sleep or carry on with your day-to-day life, give your healthcare provider a call for help with contact dermatitis treatment.

To clear contact dermatitis, you must figure out what is causing your rash and avoid the offending substance. Call your healthcare provider if you don’t know the cause of your rash, if your contact dermatitis is very severe, or if it covers large areas of your body.

Metal hypersensitivity or metal allergy is one of the most frequent causes of contact dermatitis, with about 10% to 15% of the population experiencing some type of metal contact hypersensitivity. This includes metals such as gold, silver, mercury, nickel, copper, and more.

Learn MoreHow to Prevent and Treat Poison Ivy

A poison ivy rash may be a serious health risk if any unusual symptoms accompany it. Notify a healthcare provider if you spot any of the following symptoms.Rash does not improve after a few weeksItching becomes worse or keeps you awakeRash spreads to eyes, mouth, genitals, or covers more than one-fourth of the skinTemperature over 100 degrees FahrenheitDifficulty breathingRash shows signs of pus, soft yellow scabs, or tenderness

A poison ivy rash may be a serious health risk if any unusual symptoms accompany it. Notify a healthcare provider if you spot any of the following symptoms.

15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brasch J, Becker D, Aberer W, et al.Guideline contact dermatitis.Allergo J Int. 2014;23(4):126–138. doi:10.1007/s40629-014-0013-5Chiesa fuxench ZC, Block JK, Boguniewicz M, et al.Atopic Dermatitis in America Study: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Prevalence and Disease Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in the US Adult Population.J Invest Dermatol. 2019;139(3):583-590. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2018.08.028Statescu L, Branisteanu D, Dobre C, et al.Contact dermatitis - epidemiological study.Maedica (Buchar). 2011;6(4):277–281.Heydorn S, Johansen JD, Andersen KE, et al.Fragrance allergy in patients with hand eczema - a clinical study.Contact Derm.2003;48(6):317-23. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2003.00133.xAgrawal R, Woodfolk JA.Skin barrier defects in atopic dermatitis.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(5):433. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0433-9Warshaw EM, Wang MZ, Mathias CG, et al.Occupational contact dermatitis in hairdressers/cosmetologists: retrospective analysis of north american contact dermatitis group data, 1994 to 2010.Dermatitis. 2012;23(6):258-68. doi:10.1097/DER.0b013e318273a3b8Yoshihisa Y, Shimizu T.Metal allergy and systemic contact dermatitis: an overview.Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:749561. doi:10.1155/2012/749561Abraham A, Roga G.Topical steroid-damaged skin.Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59(5):456–459. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.139872Gabros S, Zito PM.Topical Corticosteroids. StatPearls Publishing.Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(6):429–434. doi:10.14740/jocmr1855wPapier A, Strowd LC.Atopic dermatitis: a review of topical nonsteroid therapy.Drugs Context. 2018;7:212521. doi:10.7573/dic.212521Patrizi A, Raone B, Ravaioli GM.Management of atopic dermatitis: safety and efficacy of phototherapy.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:511–520. doi:10.2147/CCID.S87987Grundmann SA, Beissert S.Modern aspects of phototherapy for atopic dermatitis.J Allergy (Cairo). 2012;2012:121797. doi:10.1155/2012/121797Saito M, Arakaki R, Yamada A, Tsunematsu T, Kudo Y, Ishimaru N.Molecular mechanisms of nickel allergy.Int J Mol Sci.2016;17(2):202. doi:10.3390/ijms17020202American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac: How to Treat the Rash.Additional ReadingAquino M, Rosner G.Systemic Contact Dermatitis.Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology.2019 Feb;56(1):9-18.Mowad CM, Anderson B, Scheinman P, Pootongkam S, Nedorost S, Brod B.Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Patient Management and Education.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatolgy.2016 Jun;74(6):1043-54.Pelletier JL, Perez C, Jacob SE.Contact Dermatitis in Pediatrics.Pediatric Annals.2016 Aug 1;45(8):e287-92.Rashid RS, Shim TN.Contact Dermatitis.BMJ.2016 Jun 30;353:i3299.

15 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brasch J, Becker D, Aberer W, et al.Guideline contact dermatitis.Allergo J Int. 2014;23(4):126–138. doi:10.1007/s40629-014-0013-5Chiesa fuxench ZC, Block JK, Boguniewicz M, et al.Atopic Dermatitis in America Study: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Prevalence and Disease Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in the US Adult Population.J Invest Dermatol. 2019;139(3):583-590. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2018.08.028Statescu L, Branisteanu D, Dobre C, et al.Contact dermatitis - epidemiological study.Maedica (Buchar). 2011;6(4):277–281.Heydorn S, Johansen JD, Andersen KE, et al.Fragrance allergy in patients with hand eczema - a clinical study.Contact Derm.2003;48(6):317-23. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2003.00133.xAgrawal R, Woodfolk JA.Skin barrier defects in atopic dermatitis.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(5):433. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0433-9Warshaw EM, Wang MZ, Mathias CG, et al.Occupational contact dermatitis in hairdressers/cosmetologists: retrospective analysis of north american contact dermatitis group data, 1994 to 2010.Dermatitis. 2012;23(6):258-68. doi:10.1097/DER.0b013e318273a3b8Yoshihisa Y, Shimizu T.Metal allergy and systemic contact dermatitis: an overview.Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:749561. doi:10.1155/2012/749561Abraham A, Roga G.Topical steroid-damaged skin.Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59(5):456–459. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.139872Gabros S, Zito PM.Topical Corticosteroids. StatPearls Publishing.Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(6):429–434. doi:10.14740/jocmr1855wPapier A, Strowd LC.Atopic dermatitis: a review of topical nonsteroid therapy.Drugs Context. 2018;7:212521. doi:10.7573/dic.212521Patrizi A, Raone B, Ravaioli GM.Management of atopic dermatitis: safety and efficacy of phototherapy.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:511–520. doi:10.2147/CCID.S87987Grundmann SA, Beissert S.Modern aspects of phototherapy for atopic dermatitis.J Allergy (Cairo). 2012;2012:121797. doi:10.1155/2012/121797Saito M, Arakaki R, Yamada A, Tsunematsu T, Kudo Y, Ishimaru N.Molecular mechanisms of nickel allergy.Int J Mol Sci.2016;17(2):202. doi:10.3390/ijms17020202American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac: How to Treat the Rash.Additional ReadingAquino M, Rosner G.Systemic Contact Dermatitis.Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology.2019 Feb;56(1):9-18.Mowad CM, Anderson B, Scheinman P, Pootongkam S, Nedorost S, Brod B.Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Patient Management and Education.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatolgy.2016 Jun;74(6):1043-54.Pelletier JL, Perez C, Jacob SE.Contact Dermatitis in Pediatrics.Pediatric Annals.2016 Aug 1;45(8):e287-92.Rashid RS, Shim TN.Contact Dermatitis.BMJ.2016 Jun 30;353:i3299.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Brasch J, Becker D, Aberer W, et al.Guideline contact dermatitis.Allergo J Int. 2014;23(4):126–138. doi:10.1007/s40629-014-0013-5Chiesa fuxench ZC, Block JK, Boguniewicz M, et al.Atopic Dermatitis in America Study: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Prevalence and Disease Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in the US Adult Population.J Invest Dermatol. 2019;139(3):583-590. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2018.08.028Statescu L, Branisteanu D, Dobre C, et al.Contact dermatitis - epidemiological study.Maedica (Buchar). 2011;6(4):277–281.Heydorn S, Johansen JD, Andersen KE, et al.Fragrance allergy in patients with hand eczema - a clinical study.Contact Derm.2003;48(6):317-23. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2003.00133.xAgrawal R, Woodfolk JA.Skin barrier defects in atopic dermatitis.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(5):433. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0433-9Warshaw EM, Wang MZ, Mathias CG, et al.Occupational contact dermatitis in hairdressers/cosmetologists: retrospective analysis of north american contact dermatitis group data, 1994 to 2010.Dermatitis. 2012;23(6):258-68. doi:10.1097/DER.0b013e318273a3b8Yoshihisa Y, Shimizu T.Metal allergy and systemic contact dermatitis: an overview.Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:749561. doi:10.1155/2012/749561Abraham A, Roga G.Topical steroid-damaged skin.Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59(5):456–459. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.139872Gabros S, Zito PM.Topical Corticosteroids. StatPearls Publishing.Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(6):429–434. doi:10.14740/jocmr1855wPapier A, Strowd LC.Atopic dermatitis: a review of topical nonsteroid therapy.Drugs Context. 2018;7:212521. doi:10.7573/dic.212521Patrizi A, Raone B, Ravaioli GM.Management of atopic dermatitis: safety and efficacy of phototherapy.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:511–520. doi:10.2147/CCID.S87987Grundmann SA, Beissert S.Modern aspects of phototherapy for atopic dermatitis.J Allergy (Cairo). 2012;2012:121797. doi:10.1155/2012/121797Saito M, Arakaki R, Yamada A, Tsunematsu T, Kudo Y, Ishimaru N.Molecular mechanisms of nickel allergy.Int J Mol Sci.2016;17(2):202. doi:10.3390/ijms17020202American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac: How to Treat the Rash.

Brasch J, Becker D, Aberer W, et al.Guideline contact dermatitis.Allergo J Int. 2014;23(4):126–138. doi:10.1007/s40629-014-0013-5

Chiesa fuxench ZC, Block JK, Boguniewicz M, et al.Atopic Dermatitis in America Study: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Prevalence and Disease Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in the US Adult Population.J Invest Dermatol. 2019;139(3):583-590. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2018.08.028

Statescu L, Branisteanu D, Dobre C, et al.Contact dermatitis - epidemiological study.Maedica (Buchar). 2011;6(4):277–281.

Heydorn S, Johansen JD, Andersen KE, et al.Fragrance allergy in patients with hand eczema - a clinical study.Contact Derm.2003;48(6):317-23. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2003.00133.x

Agrawal R, Woodfolk JA.Skin barrier defects in atopic dermatitis.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(5):433. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0433-9

Warshaw EM, Wang MZ, Mathias CG, et al.Occupational contact dermatitis in hairdressers/cosmetologists: retrospective analysis of north american contact dermatitis group data, 1994 to 2010.Dermatitis. 2012;23(6):258-68. doi:10.1097/DER.0b013e318273a3b8

Yoshihisa Y, Shimizu T.Metal allergy and systemic contact dermatitis: an overview.Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:749561. doi:10.1155/2012/749561

Abraham A, Roga G.Topical steroid-damaged skin.Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59(5):456–459. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.139872

Gabros S, Zito PM.Topical Corticosteroids. StatPearls Publishing.

Curtis G, Lewis AC.Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone.J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(6):429–434. doi:10.14740/jocmr1855w

Papier A, Strowd LC.Atopic dermatitis: a review of topical nonsteroid therapy.Drugs Context. 2018;7:212521. doi:10.7573/dic.212521

Patrizi A, Raone B, Ravaioli GM.Management of atopic dermatitis: safety and efficacy of phototherapy.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:511–520. doi:10.2147/CCID.S87987

Grundmann SA, Beissert S.Modern aspects of phototherapy for atopic dermatitis.J Allergy (Cairo). 2012;2012:121797. doi:10.1155/2012/121797

Saito M, Arakaki R, Yamada A, Tsunematsu T, Kudo Y, Ishimaru N.Molecular mechanisms of nickel allergy.Int J Mol Sci.2016;17(2):202. doi:10.3390/ijms17020202

American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac: How to Treat the Rash.

Aquino M, Rosner G.Systemic Contact Dermatitis.Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology.2019 Feb;56(1):9-18.Mowad CM, Anderson B, Scheinman P, Pootongkam S, Nedorost S, Brod B.Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Patient Management and Education.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatolgy.2016 Jun;74(6):1043-54.Pelletier JL, Perez C, Jacob SE.Contact Dermatitis in Pediatrics.Pediatric Annals.2016 Aug 1;45(8):e287-92.Rashid RS, Shim TN.Contact Dermatitis.BMJ.2016 Jun 30;353:i3299.

Aquino M, Rosner G.Systemic Contact Dermatitis.Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology.2019 Feb;56(1):9-18.

Mowad CM, Anderson B, Scheinman P, Pootongkam S, Nedorost S, Brod B.Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Patient Management and Education.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatolgy.2016 Jun;74(6):1043-54.

Pelletier JL, Perez C, Jacob SE.Contact Dermatitis in Pediatrics.Pediatric Annals.2016 Aug 1;45(8):e287-92.

Rashid RS, Shim TN.Contact Dermatitis.BMJ.2016 Jun 30;353:i3299.

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