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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffContact dermatitis treatment consists primarily of:
- Avoiding the irritant. This involves identifying what's causing your irritation and then avoiding it. If this is done, it may take two to four weeks for the rash and irritation to clear up.
- Topical self-care measures. In mild to moderate cases, self-care measures, such as using creams containing hydrocortisone or applying wet dressings, can help relieve redness and itching.
- Oral medications. In severe cases, oral corticosteroids and antihistamines may be necessary to reduce the inflammation and relieve the intense itching.
References
- Weston WL, et al. Overview of dermatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2009.
- Cohen DE, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2966976. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Habif TP. Contact dermatitis and patch testing. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130085313-3/0/1195/18.html?tocnode=51440089&fromURL=18.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50006-6_242. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Wetter DA, et al. Patch test results from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 1998-2000. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2005;53:416.
- Kaplan LA. Exposure to radiation from the sun. In: Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130085313-5/0/1483/133.html?tocnode=54234968&fromURL=133.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03228-5..50019-7_767. Accessed April 6, 2009.
