Treatment for Contact Dermatitis

If you have contact dermatitis, the treatment your doctor recommends will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your symptoms. Treatment for contact dermatitis may involve steps such as avoiding the cause of the inflammation, taking certain medications, and using lotions or other treatments.

 

Contact Dermatitis Treatment: An Overview

The recommended treatment for contact dermatitis in your particular situation will depend on several factors, including:
 
  • The cause of your symptoms
  • The severity of your symptoms
  • Your age and overall health.
     
Treatments may include:
 
  • Avoiding the substance
  • Medications
  • Lotions or other treatments.
     

Avoiding the Substance

Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema caused by exposure to substances in the environment (see Causes of Contact Dermatitis). Therefore, figuring out what is causing contact dermatitis and then avoiding it will go a long way toward helping current symptoms, as well as preventing a reoccurrence in the future.
 
You may know what caused the inflammation -- for example, recent hand contact with a corrosive, such as an oven cleaner -- or you may not have a clue. Your hobbies, diet, occupation, sports activities, clothing, and cosmetics -- as well as medications that are taken internally -- should all come under suspicion.
 
(Treatment for Contact Dermatitis Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD