Contact Dermatitis
Alternate Names : Allergic Dermatitis, Dermatitis - Allergic, Dermatitis - Contact, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
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Contact Dermatitis Treatment
Initial treatment includes thorough washing with lots of water to remove any trace of the irritant that may remain on the skin. Further exposure to known irritants or allergens should be avoided.
In some cases, the best treatment is to do nothing to the area.
Topical corticosteroid medications may reduce inflammation. Carefully adhere to instructions when using topical steroids because overuse of these medications, even low-strength over-the-counter topical steroids, may cause a troublesome skin condition. In severe cases, systemic corticosteroids may be needed to reduce inflammation. These are usually tapered gradually over about 12 days to prevent recurrence of the rash.
Wet dressings and soothing, antipruritic (anti-itch), or drying lotions may be recommended to reduce other symptoms.
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