Contact dermatitis – Treatment
The symptoms of contact dermatitis can be effectively managed with treatment. Some people’s symptoms improve, whereas others find their symptoms clear up entirely. Up to 8 out of 10 people will experience at least a partial improvement in their symptoms after contact dermatitis treatment.
There are several ways to treat contact dermatitis, including:
- avoiding the cause
- emollients
- topical corticosteroids (for severe symptoms)
- oral corticosteroids (for widespread severe symptoms)
- antibiotics (for infections)
These treatments are explained below.
Avoiding the cause
One of the most important steps in treating contact dermatitis is identifying and avoiding the allergens or irritants that cause it. If you can successfully avoid the cause, you should not experience any symptoms.
If you are exposed to irritants as part of your job, wear adequate protective clothing to minimise any contact with the irritants. Tell your employer about your condition so they can help you avoid the causes as effectively as possible.
Diet
The allergen nickel causes some cases of contact dermatitis. This is a trace element found in foods such as lentils, nuts and oats. There is some evidence that people who are sensitive to nickel might benefit from following a diet that is low in nickel.
However, evidence to support the benefit of this is very limited and you should speak to your GP before making any changes to your diet.
Emollients
Emollients are substances that help soften and smooth your skin to keep it supple and moist. As contact dermatitis can cause your skin to be dry and cracked, it is important to keep it moisturized to prevent it from becoming further irritated. Emollients prevent water being lost from the outer layer of the skin and add water to the skin. They act as a protective barrier to keep the moisture in and the irritants out.
Choice of emollient
Several different emollients are available. You may need to try several to find one that works for you. You may also be prescribed a mix of emollients, such as:
- an ointment for very dry skin
- a cream or lotion for less dry skin
- an emollient to use on your face and hands
- a different emollient to use on your body
- an emollient to use instead of soap
- an emollient to add to bath water or use in the shower
The difference between lotions, creams and ointments is the amount of oil they contain. Ointments contain the most oil so can be quite greasy, but they are the most effective at keeping moisture in the skin. Lotions contain the least oil so are not greasy but can be less effective. Creams are between the two.
If you have been using a particular emollient for some time, it may start to irritate your skin. If this happens, speak to your doctor for more information.
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