What are the treatment options for contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis develops when the skin reacts after touching an irritant or an allergen. Irritant dermatitis can follow repeated exposure to water, cleansers, chemicals, or friction. Allergic dermatitis involves an immune reaction to a substance such as a fragrance, preservative, metal, or rubber ingredient. The rash may be itchy, dry, cracked, swollen, or blistered.

Finding the exposure matters because medicine can settle the current flare while the rash returns if the responsible substance remains in contact with the skin. A clinician may ask about work, hobbies, cosmetics, gloves, jewellery, and household products.

Stop or reduce contact with the suspected product where practical, and rinse exposed skin gently if residue remains. Use lukewarm water, a mild fragrance-free cleanser, and an emollient frequently, especially after washing. Gloves can help with wet work, but sweat and trapped substances inside gloves may also irritate, so they need sensible use and clean, dry hands.

Topical Corticosteroids may be prescribed for inflamed areas. Apply the correct strength and amount to the affected skin for the advised course; do not use a leftover steroid or apply it to the face, folds, or broken skin without specific guidance. Emollient Therapy supports the barrier between flares.

Seek urgent help for rapidly worsening swelling, breathing difficulty, facial or tongue swelling, widespread blistering, or skin peeling. These signs can reflect a severe reaction or another condition needing immediate assessment.

Arrange a clinician review when the rash is spreading, painful, oozing, repeatedly returning, affecting sleep, or not improving after trigger avoidance. Yellow crusting, warmth, increasing tenderness, or fever may indicate infection. Patch testing may be considered when an allergy is suspected and the trigger remains unclear.

Ask which exposure is most suspicious, whether patch testing is useful, which emollient suits your skin, where and how long to use the prescribed corticosteroid, and how to protect your hands or face at work and home.