Contact Dermatitis Treatment

In most cases, contact dermatitis does not require medical treatment.

Self-Care at Home

• Avoid touching the trigger.
• Washing with soap and cool water can remove or inactivate most of the offending substance, if it is done immediately after exposure.
• If blistering develops, cold moist compresses applied for 30 minutes 3 times a day are helpful.
• Calamine lotion and cool oatmeal baths may relieve itching.
• Oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Ben-Allergin) can also relieve itching.
• Do not apply antihistamine lotions to the skin, because you may have an allergic contact dermatitis from the lotion itself.
• For mild cases that cover a relatively small area, hydrocortisone cream in nonprescription strength may be sufficient.

Medical Treatment

Treatment usually consists of medications to relieve the symptoms until the rash can go away on its own.