What does infected contact dermatitis look like?

To treat contact dermatitis successfully, you need to identify and avoid the cause of your reaction. If you can avoid the offending substance, the rash usually clears up in two to four weeks. You can try soothing your skin with cool, wet compresses, anti-itch creams and other self-care steps.

What kills contact dermatitis?

Medications for contact dermatitis include topical steroids, such as over-the-counter hydrocortisone. For more advanced cases, a prescription topical or oral steroid may be necessary. While antihistamines won’t eliminate the rash, they may relieve the itching that makes this condition so challenging.

What does the start of dermatitis look like?

Symptoms of contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis causes the skin to become itchy, blistered, dry and cracked. Lighter skin can become red, and darker skin can become dark brown, purple or grey. This reaction usually occurs within a few hours or days of exposure to an irritant or allergen.

What hand cream is good for contact dermatitis?

During eczema flare-ups you can use Eucerin AtoControl Acute Care Cream as an adjunctive hand cream for dermatitis, alongside medical treatment as recommended by your doctor.

What creams help with dermatitis?

Mild skin inflammations usually respond to over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. To reduce inflammation and heal the irritation of most types of dermatitis, a doctor usually recommends a prescription corticosteroid cream and might prescribe an oral antihistamine to relieve severe itching.

What happens if dermatitis is left untreated?

When left untreated, contact dermatitis can develop into an escalating cycle of itching, scratching and inflammation. In some cases, the excessive scratching can introduce bacteria or fungus into layers of the skin, resulting in infections that can be serious in some people.

Is Vaseline good for contact dermatitis?

Clean your skin with mild soap and lukewarm water to remove any irritants. Stop using any products you think might be causing the problem. Apply bland petroleum jelly like Vaseline to soothe the area. Try using anti-itch treatments such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream (Cortisone-10).