A powerful contact dermatitis treatment for symptom relief

The appearance of a red rash accompanied by itching and burning on the skin after contact with a substance can be a sign of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis doesn't completely resolve, but you can relieve symptoms with a few simple treatment methods.

What treatments can you do?

Various skin treatments for contact dermatitis

Like other types of dermatitis, contact dermatitis also causes various complaints and can cause damage to the skin. One of the most common complications of contact dermatitis is infection of the skin that is constantly scratched.

Problematic skin can actually return to health as long as it is treated regularly as recommended by a doctor. During treatment, you also need to avoid allergens (substances that cause allergies) and irritants (substances that trigger irritants) to prevent a recurrence of the disease.

Here are some contact dermatitis treatment methods that you can do on a daily basis or that are recommended by your doctor:

1. Avoiding irritants and allergens

Any treatment will not be effective if you are in frequent contact with substances that trigger the symptoms of contact dermatitis. Therefore, doctors usually advise patients to avoid irritants and allergens as much as possible before undergoing treatment.

You may be advised to undergo skin patch test to find out what substances trigger reactions in your body. During the test, the skin on your back will be dripped with several types of substances and covered with a special covering.

After two days, the doctor will observe the symptoms that appear on your back. The test result can be said to be positive if there are symptoms such as a red rash or itching.

The test will also help you identify which substances to avoid. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, some common types of allergens and irritants that need to be avoided during the treatment period for contact dermatitis are:

detergent,
nickel metal (electronics, jewelry, and eyeglass frames),
cosmetics, hair sprays, and nail polish,
perfume and other fragrances,
latex,
chemicals in cleaning products,
hair dye,
kerosene, as well
certain plants, like poison ivy.

2. Using personal protection

For people who live or have to work in a place with high exposure to allergens and irritants, avoiding both is certainly not easy. In addition, many irritants are also found in products used in everyday life.

As a solution, you can use personal protection when in direct contact with allergens and irritants. For example, by using special gloves when washing with detergent, cleaning the floor with carbolic acid, and so on.

Wear long sleeves and pants when traveling to places with lots of skin allergens. Do the same if you work in a place with high metal exposure.

It is worth remembering that some people may be allergic to latex in gloves. So, make sure that you choose gloves with the right material. Perform a simple allergy test by touching gloves before use.

After completion, contact dermatitis treatment can be done by washing your hands with warm water and unscented soap. Once your hands are dry, you can apply a skin moisturizer or emollient.

Even if the symptoms have disappeared, try to continue using this treatment. Reporting from the National Eczema Society, skin resistance to irritants and allergens will decrease for at least 4 to 5 months after symptoms disappear.

3. Use of emollients regularly

Emollients are non-cosmetic moisturizers for dry skin. Unlike common moisturizers, emollients do not contain fragrances or preservatives that can irritate the skin.

Treatment of contact dermatitis with emollients can be done in the following ways.

Apply the emollient directly to the skin that is reddish, dry, or scaly 2-4 times a day or depending on your doctor's orders.
Apply emollients to the body after showering when the skin is just half dry.
Use emollients to clean the body or as a substitute for body wash.

4. Take a shower oatmeal

Oatmeal believed to be beneficial to the skin thanks to the fat and sugar content in it. Fat is a lubricant that helps treat dry skin, while sugar acts as a scrub naturally cleanses the dead skin layers.

Type oatmeal which is used for bathing is oatmeal colloid in powder form. Oatmeal colloids are rich in cellulose fibers which function as emollients. This content can soothe red and irritated skin due to dermatitis.

Here's how to take a bath oatmeal for people with contact dermatitis.

Fill the tub with warm or lukewarm water. Do not use water that is too hot as it can worsen inflammation and dry skin.
Add about one cup oatmeal colloid into the tub. The bigger the tub size you use, the more oatmeal required.
Stir it up oatmeal until well blended with water.
Soak in water once it is milky and creamy.

5. Using drugs

Regular treatment with emollients is usually sufficient to relieve symptoms of contact dermatitis. However, there are people who go home who may not be suitable for using emollients so that they do not experience improvement in symptoms.

In this condition, you need medical treatment with a doctor prescribed medication. A dermatologist will provide medication according to the severity of the symptoms you are experiencing.

Here are some types of eczema medications that can also be used by people with contact dermatitis.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines work by stopping the function of histamine, which is a chemical in an allergic reaction that causes symptoms of itching and redness. Oral antihistamines are effective in relieving both symptoms, but with the side effect of drowsiness.

Corticosteroid drugs

Corticosteroid topical medications are effective in relieving redness, itching, and inflammation of the skin. If the usual corticosteroid drugs do not resolve the symptoms, doctors usually prescribe a corticosteroid of a stronger type such as prednisone.

Meanwhile, if the symptoms spread to several parts of the body, treatment may be replaced with the consumption of steroid pills. However, strong doses of corticosteroid drugs should not be used in the long term because they have a number of serious side effects.

Antibiotics

Without adequate treatment, contact dermatitis can lead to complications in the form of skin infections. Skin that has minor infections is generally treated with antibiotics in the form of ointments.

6. Phototherapy

Other contact dermatitis treatments can be done with ultraviolet light therapy or phototherapy. This treatment is recommended if symptoms are difficult to control with treatment through emollients or steroid ointments.

This method is done by firing short waves of ultraviolet light at the skin to stimulate the production of vitamin D. Although it is effective, phototherapy should not be used in the long term because it can cause premature aging.

Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes in direct contact with an allergen or irritant. Although the symptoms may disappear once you stay away from the trigger, they can cause damage to the skin.

The above treatments are not only useful for symptom relief, but also prevent further damage from contact dermatitis.