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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Preventing contact dermatitis means avoiding coming into contact with those substances, such as poison ivy or harsh soaps, that may cause it.

Try to identify and avoid triggers that worsen the inflammation. Rapid changes of temperature, sweating and stress can worsen some forms of dermatitis. Avoid direct contact with wool products, such as rugs, bedding and clothes, as well as harsh soaps and detergents. If you must handle products that irritate your skin, wear nonlatex gloves.

Avoiding dry skin may be one factor in helping you prevent future bouts of dermatitis. These tips can help you minimize the drying effects of bathing on your skin:

  • Bathe less frequently. Most people who are prone to dermatitis don't need to bathe daily. Try going a day or two without a shower or bath. When you do bathe, limit yourself to 15 to 20 minutes, and use warm, rather than hot, water.
  • Use only mild soaps. Choose soaps, such as Basis, Dove or Olay, that clean without excessively removing natural oils. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps may be more drying to your skin. Use soap only on your face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet. Use clear water elsewhere.
  • Dry yourself carefully. Brush your skin rapidly with the palms of your hands, or gently pat your skin dry with a towel after bathing.
  • Moisturize your skin. Seal in moisture, while your skin is still damp, with an oil or cream. Pay special attention to your legs, arms, back and the sides of your body. If your skin is already dry, consider using a lubricating cream made for dry skin, such as Eucerin.
Alternative medicine
References
  1. Ferri FF. Atopic dermatitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158735320-3/885237613/1701/68.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50004-5--subchapter63_1354. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  2. Gober MD, et al. Contact dermatitis. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158735320-3/885237613/1806/67.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00063-2_2114. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  3. Boguniewicz M, et al. Atopic dermatitis. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158735320-7/0/1806/66.html?tocnode=56310489&fromURL=66.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00062-0_2052. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  4. Contact dermatitis and patch testing. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158735320-3/885237613/1195/18.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50006-6--cesec1_243. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  5. Eczema and hand dermatitis. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158753110-10/885313293/1195/9.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50005-4_88. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  6. Self-inflicted dermatoses. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158753110-3/885286073/1195/14.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50005-4--cesec85_173. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  7. Seborrheic dermatitis. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158735320-5/885242504/1195/47.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50010-8--cesec145_873. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  8. Stasis dermatitis and venous ulceration: Postphlebitic syndromes. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158735320-6/885243757/1195/16.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50005-4--cesec106_194. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  9. Acne, rosacea, and related disorders. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158735320-7/885244285/1195/43.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50009-1--cesec141_708. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  10. Wasserbauer N, et al. Atopic dermatitis. The American Journal of Medicine. 2009;122:122.
  11. Skellchock LE. Atopic dermatitis. In: Rakel RE. Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158753110-16/885357855/1494/115.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50072-7--cesec13_3504. Accessed Sept. 10, 2009.
  12. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 16, 2009.

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Dec. 8, 2009

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