Contact dermatitis - Treating contact dermatitis

Treatment can help most people manage their contact dermatitis, and some people may find that their symptoms clear up entirely.

There are several ways to treat contact dermatitis, including:

reducing your exposure to irritants
avoiding allergens
emollients
topical corticosteroids
oral corticosteroids

These 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 affect you. If you can successfully avoid or reduce your exposure to the cause, you shouldn't experience any symptoms.

It's not always easy to avoid irritants or allergens that affect you, but your GP or dermatologist (a specialist in treating skin conditions) can find ways to minimise your contact with them.

If you are exposed to irritants as part of your job, wear adequate protective clothing to minimise any contact. Tell your employer about your condition, so they can help you avoid the causes as much as possible.

Read more about preventing contact dermatitis.

Emollients

Emollients are moisturising treatments applied directly to the skin to reduce water loss and cover it with a protective film. They are often used to help manage dry or scaly skin conditions such as eczema.

Choice of emollient

Several different emollients are available. You may need to try a few to find one that works for you. You may also be advised to use a mix of emollients, such as:

an ointment for very dry skin
a cream or lotion for less dry skin
an emollient to use instead of soap
an emollient to add to bath water or use in the shower
one emollient to use on your face and hands, and a different one to use on your body

The difference between lotions, creams and ointments is the amount of oil that they contain. Ointments contain the most oil, so they can be quite greasy, but are the most effective at keeping moisture in the skin. Lotions contain the least amount of oil, so are not greasy, but can be less effective. Creams are somewhere in between.

Creams and lotions tend to be more suitable for red, inflamed (swollen) areas of skin. Ointments are more suitable for areas of dry skin that are not inflamed.

If you have been using a particular emollient for some time, it may eventually become less effective or may start to irritate your skin. If this is the case, your GP can prescribe another product.

How to use emollients

Use your emollient frequently and in large amounts. Many people find it helpful to keep separate supplies of emollients at work or school.

To apply the emollient:

use a large amount
don't rub it in; instead, smooth it into the skin in the same direction that the hair grows
for very dry skin, apply the emollient every two to three hours
after a bath or shower, gently dry the skin and then immediately apply the emollient while the skin is still moist

If you are exposed to irritants at work that cause your contact dermatitis, make sure you apply emollients regularly during and after work.

Don't share emollients with other people.

Side effects

Occasionally, some emollients can irritate the skin. If you have contact dermatitis, your skin will be sensitive and can sometimes react to certain ingredients, such as perfume in over-the-counter emollients. If your skin reacts to the emollient, stop using it and speak to your GP, who can recommend an alternative product.

Be aware that some emollients contain paraffin and can be a fire hazard, so should not be used near a naked flame. Emollients added to bath water can make your bath very slippery, so take care getting in and out of the bath.

Topical corticosteroids

If your skin is very red, sore and inflamed, your GP may prescribe a topical corticosteroid (that is applied directly to your skin) which can quickly reduce the inflammation.

You may be concerned about using medication that contains steroids. However, corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids, which are sometimes used (illegally) by bodybuilders and athletes. When used as instructed by your pharmacist or doctor, corticosteroids are a safe and effective treatment for contact dermatitis.

Choice of topical corticosteroid

Different strengths of topical corticosteroids can be prescribed, depending on the severity of your contact dermatitis and where the affected skin is. You may be prescribed:

a stronger topical corticosteroid for short-term use in severe contact dermatitis
a weaker topical corticosteroid if the eczema is mild
a weaker topical corticosteroid for use on your face, genitals or in the creases of your joints (such as your elbows), as your skin is thinner in these areas
a stronger topical corticosteroid to use on your palms and the soles of your feet, as the skin is thicker here

How to use topical corticosteroids

When using corticosteroids, apply the treatment in a thin layer to all the affected areas. Unless instructed otherwise by your doctor, follow the directions on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication. This will give details of how much to apply.

During an episode of severe contact dermatitis, do not apply the corticosteroid more than twice a day. Most people will only have to apply it once a day.

You should apply your emollient first and wait around 30 minutes before applying the topical corticosteroid.

The medication will usually start to have an effect within a few days. Speak to your GP if you have been using a topical corticosteroid and your symptoms have not improved.

Side effects

Topical corticosteroids may cause a mild and short-lived burning or stinging sensation as you apply them. In some cases, they may also cause:

thinning of the skin
changes in skin colour
acne (spots)
increased hair growth

Most of these side effects will improve once treatment stops.

Generally, using a stronger topical corticosteroid or using a large amount of topical corticosteroid will increase your risk of getting side effects. For this reason, you should use the weakest and smallest amount possible to control your symptoms.

Corticosteroid tablets

If you have a severe episode of contact dermatitis and it covers a large area of your skin, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid tablets.

You may be prescribed corticosteroid tablets to take for five to seven days. Depending on how effective this is, your dose may then be may gradually reduced over two to three weeks.

If corticosteroid tablets are taken often or for a long time, they can cause a number of side effects, such as:

For this reason, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe repeat courses of corticosteroid tablets without referring you to a specialist.

Further treatments

If the treatments prescribed by your GP are not successfully controlling your symptoms, they may refer you for assessment and treatment by a dermatologist.

Further treatments that may be available from your dermatologist include:

phototherapy – where the affected area of skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light to help improve its appearance
immunosuppressant therapy – medicines that reduce inflammation by suppressing your immune system
alitretinoin – a type of oral medication licensed for severe eczema affecting the hands